09/08/2025
BROKEN
HEART
(Sheâs Crazy, Heâs a Cold Jerk)
â DO NOT COPY OR REPOST â
CHAPTER 47&48
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ERLINGâS MANSION â MORNING
The sun was bright, but inside Erlingâs mansion, it felt heavy.
Crystal sat at the breakfast table, slowly stirring her tea even though it had gone cold.
Erling walked in, wearing a crisp black shirt, his hair slightly messy. He stopped when he saw her.
âYouâre up early,â he said, voice low.
âI couldnât sleep,â she replied without looking up.
He walked closer, his gaze scanning her face like he was searching for an answer she wouldnât give.
âYou look pale. Did something happen yesterday?â
She forced a small smile. âNothing happened, Erling. I just⊠feel tired.â
He reached out, his hand brushing her cheek. âYou know I can tell when youâre lying.â
Her chest tightened. âIâm not lying.â
For a moment, they just stared at each other, the silence louder than their words. Then he stepped back.
âI have a meeting later. Stay home, and donât wander off again.â
She nodded, pretending not to notice the suspicion in his eyes.
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SCHOOL â LATE MORNING
Lily walked through the hallway, books in hand, her face unreadable. Frankie spotted her from the other side and quickly moved toward her.
âLilyââ
She didnât stop walking. âOh, the famous player speaks.â
He sighed, falling into step beside her. âIt wasnât like that. At first, maybe⊠but I wasnâtââ
âYou werenât what? Planning to make me a joke? Or planning to win your stupid bet?â she snapped, eyes still forward.
âLily, please. I care about you now. Iââ
âSave it,â she said, stopping just before entering class. âYou canât just switch from a game to feelings and expect me to clap for you.â
Before he could reply, she walked in, leaving him standing in the hallway with his jaw clenched.
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OUTSIDE THE LIBRARY â SAME TIME
Phoebe sat on the bench, scrolling through her phone. Prince walked by, glancing at her.
She looked up. âYouâre really not going to say hi?â
He paused, smirking faintly. âDidnât know we were talking again.â
âWeâre not,â she said quickly. Then, softer, âBut maybe⊠we could.â
His smirk faded into something almost serious. âWeâll see.â
He walked away, and she found herself watching him longer than she meant to.
___
ERLINGâS OFFICE â LATER THAT DAY
The study was quiet. Crystal stood near Erlingâs desk, her hands shaking slightly as she held a small flash drive.
The Ghost Twinsâ words echoed in her head: Do this, or Lily dies.
She plugged the drive into his laptop.
Her heart pounded so loud, she almost didnât hear the sound of the door opening.
âCrystal?â
She froze.
Erling stepped inside, his eyes narrowing instantly. âWhat are you doing in here?â
Her mind raced. âI was⊠looking for you.â
âWhen did you walk in?â His voice was calm, but his stare was sharp.
She forced a laugh, stepping away from the desk. âA while ago, I was told you're on a meeting. And home is bored.â
He glanced at the laptop, then back at her. âOh what about your friend, you should have called her, but anyways I'm done with the meeting let's go have lunch.â
Crystal look at her phone and smile awkwardly, Emily just texted, I guess I will be leaving.
See you at home then, he said.
She nodded quickly, walking past him, hiding the flash drive in her palm.
But as she left, she could feel his eyes burning into her back.
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EMILYâS APARTMENT â AFTERNOON
Crystal sat cross-legged on Emilyâs couch, holding a soda can in her hands.
Emily was beside her, chatting non-stop about some movie she watched.
âYou shouldâve seen the way he tripped on the dance floor,â Emily laughed. âHis drink went flying!â
Crystal smiled faintly. âSounds⊠fun.â
âYou sound far away today,â Emily said, tilting her head.
âIâm just⊠tired,â Crystal replied quickly, her voice low. âGo on, Iâm listening.â
Emily kept talking about clothes, music, and silly things that would normally make Crystal laugh. But today, Crystal barely spokeâonly nodding or giving small comments.
Emily noticed, but she didnât push.
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ERLINGâS OFFICE â SAME TIME
Drake leaned against the wall, sipping coffee while Erling sat behind his desk, looking deep in thought.
âWhatâs on your mind?â Drake asked.
Erling hesitated, then said, âCrystal.â
Drake raised an eyebrow. âWhat about her?â
âSheâs⊠different. Avoiding my eyes. Slipping away when she thinks Iâm not watching. And today⊠I caught her in my private office.â
Drake frowned. âDoing what?â
âShe said she was looking for me, butâŠâ Erlingâs gaze sharpened. âSomething feels off. Like sheâs hiding something from me.â
âDo you think sheâs in trouble?â Drake asked.
âI donât know yet,â Erling said quietly. âBut Iâm going to find out.â
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LATE NIGHT â CRYSTALâS ROOM
Crystal sat by the window, hugging her knees. She had done it. The file transfer was complete.
Her phone buzzed. A new message.
UNKNOWN: Good girl. Now wait for instructions.
She shut her eyes, guilt crashing over her.
Down the hall, Erlingâs footsteps echoed. He was coming closer.
And she didnât know how much longer she could keep lying to him.
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TO BE CONTINUED
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