Page 171 of She will Always be Mine

I’m going fix everything.

I love you

- Riaan

Emotion swells in my chest as I re-read his heartfelt note and I wish he were here so I could tell him I’m so grateful to have him. I don’t know how he made it happen, but the fact that he did it just so I didn’t have to live another day with the video out for all the world to see, has me bursting with tears and love.

Grabbing my phone, I call his cell, desperate to hear his voice, but it goes straight to voicemail. He never leaves for work without kissing me and making sure I finish my breakfast because I always skip it.

He’s not one to break our morning ritual for any reason.

Last night, he kept his dark emotions tightly leashed. I’m afraid that’s not the case anymore. And that scares me more than anything. He won’t stop until he’s found the person who did this.

I only pray his hunt doesn’t destroy us.

I’m torn between wanting to uncover the person and forgetting last night—hell, the last few months—ever happened.

My phone chiming with a text makes me blink back to focus and I realize it’s from my aunt.

AUNT VANDANA:Riaan told me what happened, kiddo.

I’m here if you need to talk or simply spend time with.

Before I can reply, the doorbell rings followed by a loud, insistent knock. I feel the person’s impatience through the door and hurry to open it.

My eyes widen in surprise when they clash with Monica’s extremely worried ones.

“Oh my God! Nyra.” She steps forward, pulling me into a hug. “I’m so sorry. I saw the video. I swear I’m going to kill whoever did it. Please tell me you’re okay.”

“How did you get here?” is all I can mumble out in response.

“I bugged Riaan until he gave me your address.”

“Oh.”

“Tell me you’re okay, Nyra. I can’t believe someone did that,” she says in concern and it warms my heart. “It’s deleted now. Thank God! I reported it as soon as I saw it.”

“I’m still processing it, Monica,” I reply in a low voice.

She frowns sadly and nods in understanding. Closing the door, I bring her past the hallway and into the living room.

“This isn’t how I pictured your first visit to my apartment,” I confess as we flop down on the couch. “I wish it were under better circumstances.”

“I know,” she agrees. “I wanted to come last night but your phone was switched off. Luckily, I had Riaan’s number from the last time he asked for my help. I called him as soon as I woke up and came here. I didn’t even take a shower.”

I chuckle while counting my lucky stars I have a best friend like her. “I’m glad you came. I would’ve gone crazy. I haven’t even found the courage to call my parents. They saw it too.”

“Fuck!” she curses in sympathy.

“Exactly. I’m fucked.”

“Do you know who did it?” she carefully asks.

“No clue,” I answer, looking away. “Everybody saw me, Monica. How am I ever going to go to college now?”

“You don’t have to until you’re ready,” she consoles. “It’ll blow over and everyone will forget about it.”

“What if I never am?” I whisper brokenly. “My parents will probably take me away again and I won’t have a choice. My life is ruined, isn’t it?”

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