Page 28 of She will Always be Mine

“Thanks. I’ll call her back.”

The second I’m alone, I call my mom since she never calls my office even if it’s urgent.

Maybe it’s because I haven’t been home in over a week, which wouldn’t have bothered her as I have done the same in the past. Then again, I was suddenly visiting home often—the obvious reason was Nyra—that Mom doesn’t know. I saw the happiness on her face every time she saw me on the other side of the door, and now I feel a little guilty.

“Mom.”

“Where have you been, Riaan?” I wince upon hearing her worried voice. “Are we back to your old habits?”

“Work has been hectic, Mom,” I give the plausible excuse. “I have meetings with new clients every other day.”

“While that’s amazing, don’t push yourself too hard.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I reassure her. “Now tell me what was so urgent?”

There’s heavy silence on her side and I sense her hesitation. Now, I’m the one who’s worried so I ask in a soft voice, “Ma, talk to me.”

She sighs before replying, “I feel like you’re hurting and keeping secrets from me,beta. Did something happen? You were quite upset when you left last weekend. You know you can talk to me about anything, right?”

Should I tell her? She will eventually learn the truth and I would rather she find out from me than from somebody else. But not until I have fixed the existing mess and have Nyra by my side so we can tell my parents together.

She can disapprove, hate, or disown me afterward but I won’t disrespect her by letting her find out about us from someone else like my aunt did.

I realize I have been quiet for too long so I clear my throat, but she speaks first anxiously.

“Does it have to do with Nyra?”

My grip tightens on my phone as soon as I hear her name slip from Mom’s mouth and I’m left stunned, but I recover fast. Even though she hit the mark, it could mean for a hundred different reasons and not because she suspects there’s something more between us.

I appear outwardly calm and keep my voice impassive as I reply, “Why would you think that?”

“Don’t act aloof with me, Riaan. I’m your mom and I know you,” she scolds. “The tension was pretty obvious between the two of you after the conversation you had with her alone. You better not have hurt the poor girl.”

My mother never minces her words and can be bluntly honest at times. She’s usually right but she couldn’t be more wrong today. I may have hurt Nyra in the past but I would kill myself before I repeated it ever again.

“Don’t worry, Ma. My mood had nothing to do with her so please relax,” I lie to calm her down. I can breathe easy knowing she’s clueless.

“She’s yours to protect as a big brother, Riaan.” My blood goes cold, making me want to throw the phone away because those were the last words I wanted to hear. Why did she have to remind me of the bond that I wish never tied me to her? She doesn’t notice the silence on my end as she keeps talking, “It was so sweet of Zain to plan that whole thing for her. When I told him Nyra was on the terrace, he was more than eager to take Sara upstairs so she could surprise her.”

He did what? I knew I heard her right.

Suddenly, there’s a ringing in my ear as my vision goes red, Mom’s voice trailing off into thin air. Like a puzzle, everything falls into place. I knew the timing was too perfect. Too deliberate. I even remember how my aunt avoided answering me when I asked her which date Zain booked her flight.

“Mom, I gotta go.” I hang up as soon as she says goodbye.

Fucking Zain.

My own brother betrayed me.

I smash my phone against the wall, letting it crash to the floor with a loud bang. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I should’ve known since he was so against the idea of Nyra and me being together.

I remember vividly the look of repulsion on his face when he confronted me. What’s worse is that Nyra knew it, too, because I haven’t forgotten the color draining from her face when I mentioned his name in passing the time I had her alone.

He must have confronted her the same night. He shouldn’t have done this. Did he really think I wouldn’t find out? That I will forgive him for this?

Does he scare her?

If I find out he’s hurt or threatened her in any way, shape, or form, his life as he knows it will be over. Brother or not, he’ll pay the consequences for his actions.

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