Page 33 of She will Always be Mine

ARROGANT THIEF: No, we didn’t kill each other.

ARROGANT THIEF:And it’s not your fault.

Riaan is not the kind of man to let someone go unpunished when they’ve wronged him. And when it comes to someone hurting me, he’s even more unforgiving and vicious, as I’ve come to realize.

He would never retaliate violently because it will come at the cost of losing his control.

He must have done something far worse instead.

Something that might make Zain strike back harder.

And even though he said I shouldn’t, I still can’t help but blame myself.

These texts are from a week ago, and there’s only one more after that saying he misses me. I wish I could tell him I miss him like hell too.

I don’t have to see his face to feel his vulnerability behind his message. He only ever reserved that sweet and thoughtful side for me.

Next, I pull up the texts that hang like a dark cloud over my head, waiting to burst open and rain down hell any second. I bask in relief when there aren’t any new taunting or threatening messages.

Does this mean it’s over now that I finally ended it with Riaan?

It has to, right?Then why aren’t I celebrating.

I’m unable to get rid of the ominous feeling inside my chest. I don’t believe I can rest easy until I have uncovered the identity of my blackmailer, knowing he can come back anytime or hell, go ahead with releasing the picture just for his own sick, twisted pleasure.

Putting aside my fear and panic for a moment, I take a deep breath and think about it from an investigative perspective.

Sitting at my desk, I grab a rough notebook and a pen to write notes that could point me in the direction of my blackmailer.

My gut says it’s a man because if it were a woman, they wouldn’t toy or play these games like the person sending me texts has done. Besides, I know Riaan doesn’t have any crazy exes who would want to do this.

He has to be someone who is connected to me.

Someone who knows Riaan and I are related.

Only two names come to mind.

Monica and Zain.

But the only one who has the motivation is the latter. It’s the only explanation why my blackmailer didn’t text back to confirm I held up my end of the bargain, unless they witnessed it before their very eyes.

Does this mean he’s the one blackmailing me all this time? Was he the one making my life a living hell?

He could’ve easily seen us at the restaurant. Furthermore, he did say he was willing to cross any lines necessary.

But why let my mom catch us?

It doesn’t make any sense.

Maybe he thought I wouldn’t go through with it. Or maybe he was threatened I would spill the truth to Riaan and his plan to separate us will fail terribly. So, him bringing my mom must have been his backup plan.

When I ran into him that night, he had never looked so smug or unafraid. The only reason stopping him until now was his protectiveness of his brother, but I don’t think he still feels the same way.

What will he do now?I’m too afraid to find out.

I jump with wide eyes when there’s a heavy knock on my door but relax when my sister calls out from the other side. She must be back from her evening tuition classes. Making my way over, I unlock the door and stumbling inside is Pri, groaning from lifting a heavy box in her arms.

“What the hell did you order?” I ask, raising my eyebrow.

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