Page 182 of She will Always be Mine

“You should’ve warned me, Mom.”

“I know,” she whispers, remorsefully.

Dad steps into my line of sight and I ask him nervously, “Did you see the video?”

His expression shifts and he nods reluctantly. “It was sent to your mom and me. We called you so many times but when you didn’t pick up, we took next available flight to be with you.”

“I was scared, Dad,” I confess, my voice small. “I can’t handle disappointing you.”

In a split second, he’s by my side and interlaces our hands before reminding me, “I told you that I’ll never be upset with you, my love. I was concerned and angry that someone did that to you. I just wanted to know if you were okay.”

“What about my relationship with Riaan?”

“Your mom had already told me, sweetie.”

“What? When?” I gasp in surprise. My gaze dashes between Dad and Mom. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I had overheard you two talking the day we left Pune. I confronted her until she told me the whole truth,” he explains. “I was going to wait until you told me yourself.”

“I wanted to, but I was afraid you’ll react like Mom.”

“I regret handling it all wrongbeta. I’m sorry that I made so many mistakes,” interjects Mom. “Please don’t hate me. I already do, and will continue to live with it.”

Her genuine apology makes my anger simmer down a little. Besides, I can’t keep moving backward every time tragedy strikes. I’m sick of all the negativity and the devastation.

“I’ll say it again, Nyra,” says Dad. “I love you and nothing will ever change that.”

“Are you okay with it, though?” I can’t help but ask. I need to know.

He caresses my cheek and truthfully admits, “He’s not the man I would’ve chose for you.” My stomach drops in sadness at hearing him say that, but I sharply inhale as he continues, “But I also can’t deny he loves you with all his heart. His actions have proven he’s perfect for you. He protected you when I couldn’t and I’ll be forever grateful to him for that. Riaan will keep you happy and cherish you the way you deserve. It’s all a father ever wants for his daughter.”

“Thank you, Dad.” I sob and his arms circle around me as he rubs my back up and down.

Kissing my forehead, he pulls back and demands, “Promise me you’ll never keep secrets from us, Nyra. I’m always on your side.”

“I promise.”

“We’ll let you rest. Okay?”

“Okay.”

As soon as they leave, Riaan comes back in and sits beside me. Tucking my hair away, he runs his knuckles down my cheek as we stare at each other. The sadness I feel still lingers in the air around us but his closeness ebbs some of it away. When my gaze drops from his eyes, I notice the bandage on his left hand that I didn’t see before. Bringing it to my lips, I kiss his fingertips softly.

“Lay with me,” I whisper.

His chest rises and falls steadily as he slides into the bed carefully, avoiding my injuries. He tucks me into his side and plays with my hair. Our heartbeats in harmony until all the tension melts away from his body.

“I’ll be gone for few a days, Nyra,” informs Riaan after a while and I tilt my face toward him in alarm.

“Where?” I ask.

“You don’t need to know,” he says instead, face closed off. “Your parents will stay with you at your apartment.”

Not our apartment.

“When will you be back?”

“Soon.”

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