THE MESSAGE SHE NEVER SENT Part 4 — THE UNKNOWN NUMBER.

Three years later, Elora sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the photograph in her hands. The same photograph that had destroyed everything. The same photograph Kian had believed without giving her a chance to explain. But now she knew something she had never known before. Someone had deliberately sent it to him. Kian's words kept playing in her mind. “They are still watching you.” Elora looked toward the window. The curtains were slightly open. She quickly got up and closed them. Her heart was beating faster. She picked up her phone and looked at the unknown number that had contacted her. She typed: Who are you? She waited. Nothing. Then she typed again. How do you know about the photograph? Almost immediately, a reply appeared. Because I was there that night. Elora froze. Her fingers trembled. Who are you? The typing indicator appeared. Then disappeared. A few seconds later, another message arrived. Someone you trusted. Elora stared at the screen. There were so many people she had trusted. Friends. Family. People who had stayed beside her after Kian left. She typed: Why did you send the photograph to Kian? This time, there was no reply. A minute passed. Then another. Suddenly, her phone buzzed. A photograph had arrived. Elora opened it. Her heart stopped. It was a picture of her from three years ago, standing outside her house. She was talking to someone. But the person's face was hidden. Underneath the photograph was a message: “Look behind you.” Elora zoomed in. Her breathing became shallow. There was someone standing in the background. Someone she recognized. Someone she never thought could have anything to do with what happened. Her phone slipped from her hand. “No…” She picked it up again and looked at the photograph. It was impossible. This was the same person who had comforted her after Kian left. The same person who had listened to her cry. The same person who had repeatedly told her that Kian was never worth her tears. Her phone suddenly rang. UNKNOWN NUMBER. Elora stared at the screen. She almost ignored it. But she needed answers. Slowly, she answered. “Hello?” Silence. Then a familiar voice whispered: “You finally remembered.” Elora's eyes widened. She knew that voice. She had heard it countless times. Her heart began pounding. “Who are you?” A quiet laugh came through the phone. Then the voice said: “Ask yourself why I wanted Kian to hate you.” The call ended. Elora stood completely still. For three years, she had believed Kian was the person who had broken her heart. Now she was beginning to understand. Kian was never the real enemy. Someone had wanted them apart from the beginning. And that person had been standing beside Elora the entire time. TO BE CONTINUED…

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