Page 152 of Diamond Kisses

“Well, I love Tiger, and I think he’s adorable.”

He touched my hand. “Where were you, Khushi? Why didn’t you call?”

I sighed.

Out of anyone, my brother would understand what I’d gone through far too deeply. He’dfeelmy pain if I spoke about it. He’d hear my fear and taste my panic. He’d always been ever so sensitive, and I couldn’t do that to him.

Turning my hand up, our fingers laced. “I went somewhere very,verynoisy. But I’m back now.”

“I heard you sometimes.” He shrugged. “I spoke to you, but you didn’t come home. Did you lose your sense of hearing?” He looked at me sadly. “You feel…different. You’re hurting.” He looked at my chest. “In there.”

I squeezed his fingers. “I’ll be okay. Especially if you can find Henri for—”

The door swung open, and our mother tripped into the room. She carried a tray of fresh-cut fruit and croissants. She didn’t look at us as she bustled toward the side table and placed the tray down. “She’ll wake up soon, Krish. Mind you don’t let Tiger jump off the bed. His little legs won’t make it. Your father has gone for a walk with that nice man who’s looking after your sister.” She turned to face us. “How about you and I—”

Her eyes met mine.

Her gasp cut her off.

Tears welled, and she drifted toward us, her hands cupping her mouth.

Krish rolled his eyes in my direction. “She’s going to get noisy now.”

“I think you’re right.” I smiled as he gathered Tiger in his arms and removed himself to sit by the window.

She fell on me. Her familiar scent of spices and flowers shot up my nose as she sobbed against my cheek. “Oh, Ily! Ily, Ily,Ily.”

I hugged her back. I gasped as fresh pain seared in my chest. “Hey, Mama.”

She cried harder, kissing me like a madwoman.

Krish sniffed in the corner. “Be happy, Mama, not sad. She’s okay.”

“Oh, I know. I know.” Mum pulled back, her black hair tied up in a bun, streaks of grey on her temples. “These are happy tears, baby. Happy tears.”

Holding my cheeks, she studied me for ages. Finally, she pressed her nose to mine and stepped back. “Almost seven months since I last saw you. Seven months I’ve feared the worst.”

“I told you she wasn’t dead,” Krish muttered, giving Tiger a grape from the tray and placing him on the floor to eat. “I heard her. Remember?”

“You truly heard me?” I glanced at my wonderful brother. “How?”

Was it the same as with me and Henri?

I’d always known Krish was a soulmate. He’d found me that day on the steps of the hospital because he recognised me. Just like I recognised Peter as someone I’d known for far longer than I had.

After so much physical abuse, the lessons I’d learned the most were how profound emotions could be. How strong feelings were. How spiritual energy could cross seas and enter hearts, linking us wherever we might be.

“I just told you I did. In here.” He tapped his chest. “It hurt sometimes but every time I thought of you, I knew you weren’t far.” His gaze dropped to my throat. “Where’s your necklace?”

I flinched and ran my fingers along my neck.

I stilled.

No collar.

My heartrate picked up as I looked at my arms.

No cuffs.

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