Nicole crumpled-just let her legs give way and fell to the floor, hunched and sobbing. Hayley looked at me. Even Rafe did. Uncertain looks from both of them. I had to admit, Nicole was a good actor. If I hadn't seen her switch from "sweet Nicole" to "raving lunatic Nicole" in a heartbeat at the campsite, I might have believed her myself.
Nicole collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed with emotion and sobbing. In that moment, she drew the attention of both Hayley and Rafe, who exchanged uneasy glances. It was clear that their feelings were mixed, but I recognized Nicole's skill in manipulation.
Having witnessed her sudden shifts in behavior before, going from a charming persona to a wildly erratic one, I knew that her emotional display could very well be an act. It made me question the authenticity of what I was witnessing, despite the convincing performance she presented.