Page 164 of Since You Stole My Heart

Revulsion coursed through her as she answered, ‘If that’s what it takes to stop a monster like you, then yes.’

Karthik chuckled coldly. ‘Oh come on, Kashu. You’re the one who killed your mother, and I’m the monster?’

The accusation hit her like a violent shove, knocking the air from her lungs. ‘What?’ she stammered, stumbling back against the wall.

‘Don’t act like you’re innocent. You know what I’m talking about,’ Karthik warned.

She swallowed hard against the dryness in her throat. ‘If you have something to say, then say it.’

Karthik clicked his tongue. ‘You’re so eager to demand justice for yourself. But what about your mother’s murder?’

‘It wasn’t murder!’ she shouted, denial thick in her voice.

‘Oh, but we both know it was. Remember how your mother screamed when the car went out of control? Because I do.’

‘Shut up.’ Her breath came in fractured gasps.

‘Do you ever think about her, or have you forgotten the bitch just like I have?’ he asked, the sneer in his voice making her cringe.

‘Don’t you dare talk about her like that!’ Kashvi screamed.

‘Oh, so you can kill her, but I can’t even talk about her? How is that fair?’ he asked calmly.

The words hit like a physical blow, and everything inside her recoiled. ‘I didn’t do that.’

‘Do you need me to remind you what happened in that car? Remember how your mother screamed when the car lost control? Because I do.’

Kashvi dry-heaved, feeling thoroughly sick at the nostalgia in his tone. ‘Fucking stop!’

‘You deserve to be punished for your crime, and that’s exactly what your sister will do,’ he said, striking every exposed nerve. ‘Siya raised you, better than Arohi ever could have. She sacrificed her youth playing mother to you, and the irony is she can’t be a mother because of you.’

No!

She dragged in a breath, trying to steady the frantic rhythm of her pulse.

His tone turned frighteningly calm. ‘Do you really believe she’ll love you, or even look at you the same way once she knows? I think even your husband will spit in your face and walk away.’

Kashvi shook her head frantically as hot tears spilled over and her fears spiralled out of control. He was mercilessly pressing against her deepest wound, and she nearly crumbled beneath the crushing guilt. ‘Please stop.’

He continued, unyielding. ‘The only reason you want me to stop is because you know I’m right. Deep down, you know you’re a murderer, Kashvi. So if you want to see me behind bars, I’ll make sure you end up right there beside me.’

‘Why are you doing this?’ she managed, her voice roughened by tears.

‘Why do you think?’ Karthik snapped. ‘Your sister stole the company from under my nose, and you stole the trust fund. Consider this your punishment.’

‘If you think I’m just going to give in, you’re wrong,’ she said, her heart beating erratically.

‘If you open your mouth against me, I’ll do the same. I already have a bad reputation after Siya threw me out, but it’ll be far more damaging for your sister. Poor girl won’t get a child to fill the empty hole in her life. I don’t think Siya will want to live after that.’

The implication made her go rigid. Her fingers dug harder into her palm, the tiny cuts stinging sharply. ‘Don’t you dare.’

Karthik shouted loudly enough to make her flinch. ‘Then keep your mouth shut. You’ll send the money to my overseas account through an untraceable payment link I give you. I’ll even take bitcoin, but please don’t ask for a discount,’ he guffawed, laughing at his own joke.

‘I don’t have the money. I consolidated it all. It’s gone,’ Kashvi whispered.

‘So is your mother, and you’re the reason why. If you don’t want Siya to find out, figure out a way to get the money,’ he instructed.

‘You won’t get away with this,’ Kashvi warned stubbornly, though it sounded fragile even to her own ears.