Page 180 of She will Always be Mine

Not only does my body ache, my soul feels broken and withered. Closing my eyes only traps me in darkness as I travel back to the house. I thought I was going to die after my uncle rapes me. A fate I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.

But Riaan is not one to break his vows.

He swore to protect me and he did. He found and saved me like always.

“Nyra.” My dad sighs and I open my eyes.

“Please.” My voice is a small whisper. “I know he’s here.”

“Okay,” says my mom.

I hear their footsteps as they walk out. The longer I’m alone in this depressing hospital room, the faster my pulse pounds. My fingers twist in the sheet as I stare at the door and when it creaks open, my heart thuds.

Everything fades into the background.

My gaze clashes with Riaan’s tormented face and I fall apart as the weight of what happened to today hits me full force. There are shadows underneath his eyes, his shirt untucked, hair a mess, and I cry harder. I’ve never seen him so lost, broken, and distraught.

“Baby,” he murmurs, tears in his eyes.

One second he’s standing far away and the next, I’m in his arms, comforted in his scent. His hands clutch me so tight despite trembling and I return the hug with the same intensity. I want to burrow myself inside him and never let go.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know my father could do this.” Anguish makes his tone sound deeper and hoarse. “I’ve never been so scared in my entire life. I can’t lose you, Nyra.”

Pulling back, rough fingers caress my face and he places kisses all over me. The tears shining on his handsome face rips me open and I wipe them away. He touches me all over as if to assure himself I’m okay while his gaze becomes sorrowful at the bruises.

His head drops to my stomach as he holds me like I’m his lifeline and I slide my fingers through his hair soothingly. His shoulders shake with emotions and I wish all of it was just a nightmare we could wake up from. I wish I could turn back time and not have left the house.

But life isn’t fair, nor is it easy.

I need to believe we’ll survive this as long as we’re together. My only thought before the fight left me was about him. The beautiful memories of us floods my mind, and I’m even more determined to not keep us apart.

Riaan straightens and tightens his fingers around my wrist as he kisses my palm. “When I saw you lying there, I thought I was too late.”

“You weren’t, though. I’m safe, Riaan. Because of you,” I whisper, his forehead resting on mine and our breaths mingling together. “If you hadn’t come—”

“Shh… He’ll never come near you again.”

“He hurt my mom. It was him all along. The texts, the blackmailing.” I frown when he pulls away with a guilt-ridden expression. I don’t understand it and dread makes me pause.

“What aren’t you telling me, Riaan?” I mumble. “It was him, right?”

“It was my mom, but it was my dad who released it. He must’ve found out and decided to hurt you.”

My jaw drops open in shock as my ears ring. I must have heard him wrong, but when the truth shines in his eyes, my heart drops. I gasp as I sit up, stunned. I find it hard to believe that my sweet aunt could be so cruel.

The blows just keep coming and each one is more devastating than the last.

My aunt is my blackmailer.

My uncle tried to rape me.

Why am I being punished? Will the darkness and the torment never end?

“Please tell me you’re wrong,” I say pleadingly. “She wouldn’t do this to us.”

“I wish I was,” he murmurs, pulling me against him. “I’m sorry, baby.”

“Where are they?”

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