Page 181 of She will Always be Mine

“They’ve been arrested,” he informs me past clenched teeth. “I’ll make sure they rot in prison for the rest of their lives.”

“Riaan,” I say, pulling him closer.

As he talks about his parents, his expression becomes impassive and blank. He’s burying his emotions, speaking as if they’re two strangers and not two people who’ve raised him.

This is as much a devastating betrayal to me as it is to him. Maybe even worse for him.

Whatever my mom did, she did it out of love and care. But his, it was out of hate.

“Are you okay?” I ask him softly. “Talk to me.”

His gaze softens as he peers at me, his brows knitting together in awe. “I’ll be fine, baby. It’s you I’m worried about. I might’ve reached you in time but he still harmed you.”

“But—”

“Let me call the doctor to check on you,” he cuts me off instead, and turns around.

My hands drop to my sides as he builds up his walls around him. I let him go, knowing he needs time to come to terms with everything before he’ll share it with me. This isn’t something we can forget and move on from overnight.

My body will heal but the scars, they’ll haunt me forever. Haunt him.

I hate not knowing where we stand.

Did we come this far only to rip apart?

When the doctor comes to check on me with Riaan, I notice that my parents are standing behind them. They don’t look at each other but the tension is a live wire in the room. Riaan stands by my side and I hold his hand with my uninjured one. Dad’s gaze flicks to it but he remains quiet.

“Hi. I’m Dr. Malini.” The female doctor smiles at me warmly as she speaks. “How are you feeling?”

“Tired, but no pain.”

She nods before informing me, “Other than a sprained ankle, a broken wrist, and mild bruises on your ribs, you have no life-threatening injuries. I have you on pain medications so you can rest. I’ll keep you here for a day for observation. Since you suffered a traumatic experience, I would suggest talking to a therapist. If you’d like, I can give you some recommendations. Please let me know if there’s anything I can help you with.”

“Thank you. We’ll discuss this and let you know,” answers my father while I nod.

“The police are here to take your statement, Nyra. May I send them in?”

“Tell them she’s resting,” Riaan says angrily, and I squeeze in hand to calm him down.

“No. It’s okay. I’ll talk to them.”

“Nyra,” he says, but I stop him.

“I want to get it over with, Riaan.”

Realizing I won’t budge, he nods in understanding and Dr. Malini leaves the room.

A uniformed officer enters shortly after and observes us before zooming in on me. His face is hard and unreadable but I read the sympathy in his eyes.

I don’t want to be seen as a victim my whole life.

Is that why Mom hid it too? Does Riaan feel the same?

“I’m Officer Singhal,” the man introduces himself. “Ma’am. Could you tell me what happened from the start?”

Repeating every second from the moment I entered the house till I passed out is like reliving it all over again. The worst part is that it won’t even be the last time. My mom cries while Dad and Riaan’s anger smothers the life in the room. The officer leaves and I’m left alone with my parents while Riaan gives us some privacy.

Mom rushes to my side and her hands cup my face as she apologizes, “I’m so sorry, sweetie. I should’ve reported him years ago. Please forgive me.”

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