“Ho-How do you know about that?” I question. Maybe if I keep him talking, I can figure a way out.

“Know?” He quirks an arrogant eyebrow. “Who do you think released the video?”

Every inch of me trembles at his proud tone and the deplorable truth. He must have been the one to record it while I stupidly thought it was Zain.

My uncle was blackmailing me this whole time. I flinch when he leaps over my prone and wounded body. His fingers pull at my hair so harshly to get me on my feet. Once I’m barely standing, he shoves me backward. My back collides with the table in the corner, and my face contorts in pain.

He squeezes my neck while I scratch him with my nails and struggle, but it has no effect on him. He’s just as tall and broad as his son. Even though he’s withered with age, he’s strong and his frame is filled with aggression.

He’s going to kill me.

Tears fall down my face and I am repulsed when he licks one off my cheek. I choke when he growls, “You’re just like Sara. Seducing and taunting men with your doe-eyed innocence and when I tried to give her what she was begging for, she accused me of being a rapist.”

“Y-you a-are.” I snarl. He rips open my shirt and dirty hands grab my breasts.

My disgust, fight, and tears only makes him harder and rougher as he violates me. Every single touch cuts my soul, and I feel numb. Weak. Raw.

“After I’m done with you, I’m going to send the pictures to your mom. She may have won the last time, but she’ll have to live with the truth that she couldn’t save her daughter. My son will see what a lying, cheating whore you are and I’ll finally get my revenge.”

Riaan’s face flashes before my eyes and I want to cry harder in defeat, but my body decides to fight back. My mom’s strong words ring in my ears, and before Uncle can see it coming, I ram my knee between his legs. His grip loosens as he howls in pain and kicking him once more, I whip around and hobble toward the front door.

I hear his body fall with a thud to the ground as my hand grabs the doorknob.

“No!” I scream when he catches me. I try to claw at him, but he slams my body against the door. The air leaves my lungs when his rough fingers picks me up and throw me down on the ground like a rag doll.

“You little bitch.” Uncle snarls as he flips me onto my back. My head whips to the side when he backhands me.

Despair claws inside my ribs when I realize I’m trapped. I try to fight him with all my strength, but he’s tougher. Stronger. His aggression and intent to hurt me evident in his eyes.

I close my eyes and think of Riaan. Our lives will never be the same after today. I might never hear his voice or touch him again.

When hands tug at my shorts, it’s like I’m living that recurring nightmare from two months ago. The blurry face is replaced by my uncle’s. The evil voice is now his.

Too bad I can’t wake up from this nightmare.

“No one can save you,” he grunts.

I fought, Riaan...

Is my last thought before darkness consumes me.

Chapter Fifty-Seven

RIAAN

Chaos comes in waves.

When they crash into the shore, they bring long-buried secrets with it. You think you’re so brave and invincible that you keep wading through the choppy waters.

What you don’t know is that it’s just the beginning.

Each wave is progressively worse. They shake the root of your core and your entire world upside down until all you’re left with is the harsh truth that everything was built on a lie.

Lives are destroyed. Trust is broken. Betrayal runs deep.

The truth is staring me in the face, yet I don’t want to believe it.

Sitting in my office, the last place I want to be, I watch the video that was posted last night on repeat. The memory is etched into my brain and each time I’d revisited it, it had brought nothing but happiness and satisfaction in my heart.