Can’t solve it? Unravel the mystery behind this heartfelt clue!

As a detective delving into the enigmatic crossword clue “and felt her heart ___ as she blurted,” my formidable thought process unveiled several crucial insights that guided me toward the intriguing answer, “SKIP.” Initially, I examined the context and emotions expressed in the clue—an individual feeling their heart react in a particular manner while blurting something out. This suggested a sudden rush of emotions, indicating that the missing word must signify a sudden change or acceleration. Furthermore, I noticed the word “felt” emphasized the significance of a bodily reaction. It dawned upon me that “skip” excellently fits the bill, as it embodies the rapid and irregular beating of a heart under such circumstances. This word conveys both the unexpected change in heart rhythm and the immediate, almost involuntary blurting of words. The completion of the crossword puzzle serves as an exciting metaphorical journey, where the detective meticulously analyzes each clue, extracts meaning, and, in this particular case, unravels the pulsating truth within the heart-skipping reveal of “SKIP.”