Chapter 497
They leaned side by side against the ship's railing, letting the cool ocean breeze tangle their hair. Carolyn raised
her wine glass and tapped it gently against Allison's. The clink rang out, sharp and clear in the night air.
Carolyn took a long sip. Her cheeks were flushed-she'd had more than enough to drink tonight, and she was
definitely tipsy.
She patted Allison's shoulder, her voice a little unsteady but sincere. "Allie, I'm really sorry about what happened
earlier. Tessa's the one who marked that card. She did it on purpose. | swear, | had no idea. It wasn't my idea,
and | never would've agreed to it."
Allison sipped her wine, smiling. "Honestly? For a second, | did wonder about you. But when you called Tessa out
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtin front of everyone, that cleared things up for me. | believe you."
Carolyn let out a soft laugh. "I figured you would."
The party was long over, the rest of the guests already tucked away in their rooms. Only the sounds of the waves
and wind were left.
Carolyn tucked a wild strand of hair behind her ear, her lips curling into a gentle smile. "To you and Joshua-may
you two last forever." Her words were warm and real.
"Thank you." Allison looked her in the eye. "But | have to ask-you were so
determined to keep Joshua andin separate rooms at first. What changed your mind tonight?"
Carolyn's smile faded, turning a little sad. She gave a half-shrug, almost laughing at herself. "I finally saw the
truth, | guess. And | decided to let go."
She turned to face the open sea, letting the wind pull her hair back. Her voice floated back, soft and ragged.
"| wanted to keep you apart because | was jealous. | didn't want you two together. Back then, I still had feelings
for Joshua."
She paused, then went on. "After what happened with Trayson, | realized just how much Joshua cares about you.
You probably don't know this, but after Trayson was pulled out of the water, Joshua didn't just let it go. He had
Trayson taken to a room and... let's just say, he made sure Trayson paid for what he did."
Allison frowned, surprised. "I had no idea."
"He got what he deserved," Carolyn said simply.
She took another sip, then continued. "But what really madegive up was that gwe played this
afternoon.”
She sounded distant, lost in thought.
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"I've seen him play games like that before. He's always had girls confessing to him. There was this
one tat a birthday party€truth or dare. A girl told him she liked him.”
"And?" Allison's curiosity showed in her eyes.
Carolyn gave a small, wry laugh. "He just looked at her and said, 'Oh.' That was it.
He never talked to her again."
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