Page 3 of She will Always be Mine

“Nyra.”

My breathing marginally calms down when I hear Zain’s deep voice and as dim light pours out of one of the bedrooms down the hall, I’m able to make out his sharp features and notice a dark glint in his eyes as he watches me from head to toe.

He takes in the wetness on my face, my heavy breathing, and when they land on my fingers clutching my dress in a deathly grip, I instantly let go and straighten up.

“What are you doing up so late in the middle of the night, little sister?”

The calmness in his voice puts me on edge, like he’s not at all surprised to find me here. But the aggression and eagerness in his eyes suggests he was waiting for me to show up.

I squirm under his gaze and decide on how to answer his question. He already hates me for loving his older brother and would like nothing more than for us to break apart.

Then, after what feels like an eternity, I realize I don’t owe him any answers.

Steeling my spine, I reply, “None of your business, Zain.”

I try to step past him, but his chilling words stop me in my tracks. “Did you not like your surprise?”

My stunned gaze collides with his.

He set us up.

The glee I see in his expression renders me speechless and I feel betrayed. The weight of my emotions tries to take me under but I hold up with the adrenaline running through my veins.

Because no matter what, I cannot let him see me fall and gift him the satisfaction.

“You sent my mom up there, didn’t you?” He stays quiet but his silence is all the answer I need. “How could you let her find me with Riaan, Zain? You know it would devastate her. When did you become so cruel?” My voice breaks at the end as I remember my mom’s face staring back at me.

“It had to be done,” he calmly states.

“Did you bring her to Pune?” I ask in disbelief. I can’t believe the lengths he would go to for what he thought was right.

“It was her own idea, Nyra. She just needed a little push.” He steps closer to me until I’m backed up against the wall behind me and leans down. “You’re the only one to blame for the hurt you’ve caused her tonight. She needed to see who her daughter really was. You and Riaan are so blinded by each other that you don’t even realize it will never last. There’s no happily ever after for your love story.”

“I don’t even know you anymore.” Sadness laces my voice.

He stands up taller, his guard up, as he says, “All you need to know is there are no lengths I wouldn’t cross to protect my brother. Whether or not you believe it, it’s for your own good too.”

I don’t recognize the man I see in front of my eyes. There’s no sign of the brother who used to tease me, laugh with me, or cared for me.

I’m really scared of Zain for the first time in my entire life. The last person I thought I would ever fear as I hear the malice in his voice, and the determination shining bright in his eyes, reflecting hate for me and protectiveness for Riaan.

Most importantly, it’s the power behind his words that forces me to face the truth that…Heis right.

Then there’s another truth, which he doesn’t realize while blindsided by his rage and righteousness, that Riaan will never forgive him for the part he played in ruining us.

I’ll have to bear the burden of putting a divide between the two brothers for the rest of my life.

My sins just keep piling up.

While I watch them fall like dominoes...

Everything clicks in place.

When it rains, it pours.

“The joke’s on you, Zain. I already let go of him before my mom even showed up.” He blinks back in shock at hearing my words, but I’m not finished. “So why don’t you run and pick up the pieces of his broken heart?”

I leave him standing in the darkened hallway as I walk away. I was stupid to think of a world where Riaan and I could be together without any consequences. Now, I’m left standing against the whole world all alone.

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