Page 151 of Since You Stole My Heart

‘You did, but I was too much of a coward to open up,’ Kashvi admitted, looking down at their joined hands, shame burning beneath her skin. ‘I’ll tell you everything now, but will you please... hold me?’

Swayam chuckled softly as he wiped her tears away. ‘Baby, I thought you’d never ask.’

The mattress dipped under his weight, and his arms came around her in a possessive hold. ‘I’m here. Take your time. There’s no rush.’

She snuggled into him, and he anchored her so completely that her heartbeat slowly settled into a steady rhythm.

Letting out a shaky breath, she said, ‘Years ago, a week before I started grad school... I had this huge fight with Siya because she refused to let me go to a party thrown by some family friends.’

Her fingers curled tighter into his shirt. ‘Maybe she’d heard things, or maybe she really is my guardian angel, but she was completely against it. And I still ignored her.’

‘So you went to the party?’

She nodded. ‘She was staying over at Meera’s that night, and I knew she wouldn’t come home till morning. So I snuck out with some friends.’

Even now, Kashvi could remember the smell of beer and cologne lingering in the air when she’d walked into the massive bungalow. She closed her eyes as she forced herself to continue.

‘I had barely been there ten minutes when a guy stumbled into me and spilled beer all over my clothes. I shouted at him, but he just walked away with a wink.’

‘Let me guess. Viraj?’ he asked, the cold understanding sharpening his voice.

She nodded. It was getting harder to speak, but she refused to stop now.

Be brave.

‘I panicked because Dad or Dhruv would notice the smell of beer, so I went looking for a bathroom. I took off my top to rinse it under water, and that’s when I heard it... the click of a camera.’

Swayam went rigid, cursing under his breath. His fingers curled into a fist before he forced himself to resume rubbing her back. ‘I’m right here. You’re safe with me, Kash,’ he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

Even in his arms, Kashvi still couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. ‘At first, I thought maybe I imagined it. But then I heard it again. I checked around the sink, the mirror, everywhere, and I found a small camera hidden inside the empty shower rod holder.’

‘I acted on impulse and stomped on it with my heel until it shattered.’ The memory of that fear still hammered like a pulse in her throat. ‘I told myself it was over, tried to put it behind me, but then I began to receive creepy, vulgar messages. Do you remember when you called me at the office on my birthday and I snapped?’

Swayam gave a grim nod.

‘I was paranoid because some stranger had sent me orchids, and then the texts got worse, talking about wanting to fuck me. I know I was stupid not to take it seriously, because at the house party I finally realised it was Viraj behind all of this, when he hurt my elbow and threatened me.’

‘I’ll rip apart that bastard piece by piece for putting his hands on you. What did he say?’ Swayam asked calmly, but there was a dangerous edge beneath it.

‘He showed me my pictures from that party. Apparently, there had been another hidden camera in the bathroom. Viraj said he’d leak them if I didn’t break your heart and push you to marry Aisha,’ she added bitterly.

‘Why didn’t you tell me about it after the party?’

Her throat felt dry. ‘I didn’t have any proof.’

Swayam frowned. ‘Why would I need proof? Just your word would’ve been enough.’

Her eyes widened and her lips trembled. ‘I thought once you knew, you wouldn’t believe me... that you would leave me.’

He met her gaze head-on, intensity burning in his eyes. ‘Nothing you could tell me would ever destroy me more than how close I came to losing you tonight. That’s the only thing I know I’d never survive.’

A sob caught in her throat, and she threw her arms around him in a fierce hug. ‘I was so scared, Swayam. God, I was so scared you wouldn’t believe me.’

‘I believe you, baby, and I’m not going anywhere,’ he whispered, burying his face deeper into her hair. ‘And I swear I’ll make him regret making you feel like this. Tell me. What does he want?’

Her breath faltered. ‘He wanted me to force you to marry Aisha. Her father was willing to pay Viraj fifty lakhs if he made you agree to the match. Now he wants money from me.’

Swayam went completely still. Fury blazed in his eyes as he said, ‘I see.’