Watching her walk away, shoulders slumped in defeat, Dashiell's heart sank. He knew how much this project had meant to her—she had poured everything into it, even risking her life to see it through. Now, with everything falling apart, seeing her like this felt like a punch to the gut. He could sense the weight of her disappointment, knowing all her hard work had been for nothing.
He knew he couldn't change the situation, but he couldn't just stand by and let her leave the island feeling utterly defeated. She had been humiliated, betrayed, and banished by that bastard ex of hers, yet she had still found the strength to keep going. How could she possibly face her ex now, after everything? The thought of her returning with nothing to show for all her efforts—especially in front of the man who had tried to tear her down—was unbearable. She deserved to stand tall, to prove she wasn't broken by his cruelty.
