Lost in the Pause

Since returning to the Jensen family, Eloise had deferred to Sonia more times than she could count. But this time, Eloise wasn't so much compromising as she was letting go of what she no longer wanted.

She set the cake knife down and turned to leave.

Jonathan gripped her hand and pulled her to a stop. "What are you doing? Where are you going? I threw this party for you, and you choose to throw a hissy fit now?

"What is it that you want? If you want the first cut that badly, you can have it. I'll talk to Sonia about this. I'm sure she'll understand."

Eloise found it odd, as that cutting the birthday cake was her right, seeing as it was her birthday party. Yet Jonathan made it sound like Sonia had granted her that honor.

"No need." Eloise smacked Jonathan's hand away and left, looking as if she'd made her resolve.

Jonathan instinctively made to chase after Eloise, but Sonia suddenly put her hands to her chest, looking pained. "Jon, my heart hurts. Am I dying?"

He immediately stopped and pivoted to scoop Sonia into his arms. "Don't worry, you'll be just fine. You won't die."

That was a given, seeing as Sonia was only faking. Deep down, she didn't think Eloise was a match for her at all.

Meanwhile, Eloise stood on the deck and leaned against the rail, letting the sea breeze whip her face. The cruise was steering back the way it came, and it was evening when Sonia suddenly appeared.

"You look like you're enjoying yourself. I told Jon I'd come and comfort you, but he told me you were still angry. He was worried you'd give me a hard time. But surprisingly, you don't look sad at all."

Eloise was determined to ignore Sonia. In truth, she'd fantasized about becoming as close as sisters with Sonia when she first returned to the Jensen family. But Sonia was promiscuous and once even tossed one of her condoms into Eloise's backpack to frame her.

After that, Eloise stopped hoping that she and Sonia would ever get along.

When Eloise didn't respond, a cold gleam flashed in Sonia's eyes. "Do you know what I hate most about you? You always act like you're better than me. What's with that holier-than-thou attitude anyway?

"Let me tell you a secret. After you collapsed in the hospital, the doctor didn't just carry out any ordinary bloodwork for you, but tested your blood for its compatibility with mine. Why did you think Jon guarded your bedside so faithfully? He doesn't love you. He was just worried you'd become suspicious!"

Although Eloise had already decided to give up on Jonathan, her heart still cracked when she heard the cold, hard truth. As it turned out, Jonathan hadn't stayed with her out of guilt, nor was he trying to make it up to her. It was because she carried the heart that could save Sonia, his first love.

Eloise mocked herself for being so stupid and naive. To think she'd been somewhat touched by Jonathan's gesture while he was guarding her bedside.

Just then, Sonia drew closer to Eloise, who stepped back and demanded warily, "What are you doing?"

"Jonathan can't choose between us, Eloise, and that pisses me off. I'm going to force him to make a choice!" With that, Sonia suddenly clutched Eloise's arm and tugged her forward.

There was a loud splash as they both fell into the water.

However, Sonia probably never thought Eloise would be an amazing swimmer. It didn't take long for Eloise to break the surface and wipe the water off her face. She then began to swim toward Sonia.

Fear belatedly struck Sonia. She made to swim away, but it was too late.

Eloise gripped her hair from behind and pulled, then shoved Sonia into the sea. Panic seized Sonia, but she had barely taken more than a few breaths before Eloise pinned her under the water again, not at all letting her speak.

"You haven't stopped picking on me since I returned to the Jensen family, Sonia! Who gave you the right? You accused me of stealing what was yours, but when did I ever do that?"

Not once had Eloise fought with Sonia over their parents' love or Jonathan's affection. "I'll make you pay for the suffering you put me through all these years!"

Eloise repeatedly pulled Sonia up by her hair, only to pin her underwater again. After several rounds, Eloise's rage finally ebbed.

She waited until Sonia had no fight left in her before gripping the rope dangling off the side of the liner. She hauled herself aboard with Sonia in tow, but the moment Eloise climbed onto the deck, someone slapped her hard across the face.

It was the first time Jonathan had hit her, and in front of a crowd, no less.