Ashriti's POV
It had been six months.
Six months of this rhythm.
Money leaving my hands. Kisses landing on my lips. His arms around me. His voice in my ear.
"Mine." "Only mine." "One day I'll marry you."
And I believed it.
Yes, I gave him money.
Yes, I ignored red flags.
But it didn't matter.
Why?
Because I wasn't alone anymore.
I had him.
His hugs. His warmth. His attention.
Even if it was fake. Even if it was built on lies.
He was beside me.
That was enough.
Or at least, that's what I told myself.
My phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
I almost ignored it.
Then I opened it.
Stay away from my Shivrit.
My stomach dropped.
Who are you? I typed.
The reply came instantly.
His girlfriend.
My fingers went cold.
This is a prank.
It has to be.
What nonsense? I replied.
Tina. My name is Tina.
Tina.
The name felt familiar.
Wait.
Tina.
The girl whose call used to come when I was with him.
The girl he always cut quickly.
"She's my sister."
That's what he said.
"She's just family."
Then why is this "sister" calling herself his girlfriend?
No.
This is a prank.
It has to be.
I opened Truecaller.
Searched the number.
Tina S.
My chest tightened.
This is a prank, I typed quickly.
It's not.
And then—
A picture came.
I didn't want to open it.
But I did.
Shivrit.
Standing close.
Too close.
His hand on her waist.
His lips on hers.
Not accidental.
Not forced.
Familiar.
The same way he kissed me.
The same tilt of her chin.
The same grip on her waist.
The same claiming intensity.
My whole body went numb.
No.
This can't be.
Maybe it's old.
Maybe it's before me.
Maybe it's edited.
Maybe—
My mind was scrambling for survival.
He's been with me for two years, she sent.
Two years.
Six months with me.
Two years with her.
My chest felt tight.
Hard to breathe.
You're lying, I typed.
Ask him.
My hands were shaking now.
Every time he said "mine."
Every time he said "I love you."
Every time he blocked me.
Every time he asked for money.
Was I just… another source?
Another ATM?
Another body?
No.
No.
He wouldn't do that.
He can't.
He told me I was different.
He said I was the only one.
My phone buzzed again.
Another picture.
This time in a hotel lobby.
Room numbers visible behind them.
My heart shattered.
Room 407.
Was I special?
Or just scheduled?
The air felt thin.
My knees weakened.
I sat down slowly on my bed.
Everything replayed at once.
"My little money." "You trust me, right?" "You're mine."
Mine.
Not mine.
Never mine.
My world didn't break loudly.
It cracked quietly.
Inside my chest.
And for the first time in six months—
I wasn't thinking about how to defend him.
I was thinking—
Who was I to him?