Page 45 of Protect my Heart

Me:

Who the hell are you?

The anger in my text doesn't match the fear clawing at my chest. Another message buzzes in almost immediately.

Unknown:

You’ll know when the time is right, sweetheart. But for now... I'm upset you’re married. You belong to me, princess. I'm going to take you back.

I blink at the screen, my heart hammering wildly against my ribs. Take me back? What the actual hell?

Wait. Could it be... Vikram?

My mind latches onto the possibility instantly. He knows I’m married to Aarav now. He was supposed to marry me once, before he ran off like a coward. Could he have finally lost it? This... this sounds like something he would do, right?

I type quickly, my stomach churning in disgust.

Me:

Vikram?

I stare at the screen, almost daring him to confirm it. It would make sense. It would explain the obsession, the creepy familiarity. But the reply makes my blood run cold.

Unknown:

Oh, so you had another lover too? Great. I’ll just have to deal with him too then.

I scowl, irritation mixing with confusion. If it was Vikram, he'd be thrilled that I recognized him—he loved playing his stupid mind games and loved controlling me and manipulating me. If I figured it out easily, he wouldn’t pretend otherwise. This has to be someone else. Someone I don't even know.

My hands shake as I type.

Me:

I don’t know who you are. Please stop texting me.

I bite down hard on my nail, a nervous habit I thought I’d grown out of. Problems must seriously have my address on speed dial because why else does crap like this keep finding me?

The reply comes fast.

Unknown:

Don’t be like that, Anika. I'll give you some time to get rid of your husband. Because you’re mine, Anika. And I’m going to have you, no matter what.

Haveme? My skin crawls. The way he says it, like I’m a thing, like I’m some prize he’s going to collect—it makes my stomach turn. He sounds like he thinks he’s hunting me, like he’s the predator and I’m just helpless prey.

I grind my teeth, furious now. Who does he think he is?

Me:

Listen, whoever you are, stop this nonsense. I don’t belong to anyone, and you definitely don’t scare me. I don’t have time for your sick games.

I hit send, breathing heavily through my nose. My blood is boiling. How dare he talk about me like I’m his property? Like I’m some object he can just take? I grip my phone so tightly my knuckles ache, every muscle in my body coiled tight with anger and fear. Whoever this guy is, he’s seriously messed up. But I’ll be damned if I let him think he’s scaring me.

Another message pops up before I can even breathe properly.

Unknown:

Oh sweetheart, you’re so feisty. That’s one of the things I love about you. But don’t worry. I’ll give you some time to come around. Just remember—I’m always watching.