The Devious Hearts | Englot | girlxgirl

Chapter 19 - Manipulation

A few moments of silence passed before Engfa spoke up.

"What do you want from my answer about that, Charlotte?"

Engfa's voice was steady, but there was a hint of something deeper-vulnerability, perhaps.

Charlotte's brow furrowed, her confusion mixing with frustration.

"You're smart, you know what you want and what you're aiming for. I told you from the start that I don't let anyone get close to my heart or my life. And yet, you've managed to do that from the beginning. I've always said my life is different; I need to stay on guard and be cautious."

She took a deep breath. "I've never let anything disrupt the life I've built, including matters of the heart. What I did with your laptop was just to understand what kind of person I was letting into my life. And for the record, you can ask Patcha about this. I only checked that tablet once, long before we..."

Engfa hesitated, searching for the right word. "...became close."

Charlotte stood still, her mind a battlefield of doubt and confusion. Every word Engfa spoke chipped away at her resolve, yet there was something in the air that felt off-an undercurrent of manipulation she couldn't shake. Her thoughts twisted, crashing against the walls of her mind, threatening to drown her.

She stared hard at Engfa, trying to peel back the layers of that composed exterior.

What was real? What was carefully crafted?

The vulnerability in Engfa's voice felt genuine, but the sharp edge of distrust had already cut too deep.

"I don't know what to believe anymore," Charlotte whispered, her voice breaking, filled with the ache of betrayal. "You talk about protection, about keeping yourself safe. But what about me, Engfa? What about the trust you shattered?"

Engfa's features softened, but her eyes remained guarded. "I know I hurt you. I can't take that back. But you have to understand-everything I've built could have been destroyed if I was wrong about you."

Charlotte's anger flared, bubbling just beneath the surface. "You didn't trust me from the beginning, did you? Every moment we spent together, was it all just a test? A game to see if I was a threat?"

Engfa exhaled slowly, the tension between them thickening. "Yes, in a way. I had to be sure. But if I didn't trust you, do you think you'd still be standing here?" Her voice was low, almost dangerous, yet there was a softness to it. "I have the power to track every move you make, to know who you talk to, where you go, what you're hiding. But I haven't done that, because I trust you now, Charlotte. You're not a danger to me... except in one way."

Charlotte's heart pounded, the weight of Engfa's words closing in on her. "I'm not a threat, Engfa. I-"

Engfa's voice cut through her like ice. "The only danger you pose is to my heart. And now that's no longer something I'm willing to risk."

The finality in her tone sent a shiver down Charlotte's spine as Engfa turned on her heel, walking toward the door. But before leaving, she looked over her shoulder, her eyes burning into Charlotte's.

"As for Sydney," Engfa continued, her voice low and menacing, "I wanted to show you my world. A world of devious people, betrayal, and ruthless ambition. You've only glimpsed it-the robbery. It's all part of my life, somehow. And if you want to stay with me, you'll have to survive it. But you're too caught up in doubting me to see the real danger around you."

Charlotte's chest tightened. The room felt suffocating, but Engfa's next words cut deeper than any physical pain.

"And I know what this is really about, Charlotte. It's about your suspicion, isn't it? Do you really believe I'm Voss? Are you so sure of your judgment?"