Chapter 10 When Nova Left, Kael Panicked!
At the same time, the bedroom door pushed open.[]
Kael carried a foot soaking bucket in, setting it at her feet. Worry was clear on his face.[]
“Nova, your period’s lasted a week already. Did you catch a chill lately and throw it off? I got some herbal medicine from a traditional doctor for your soak–he said it works really well
The man knelt in front of her, taking her slender ankle and lowering it into the bucket.[]
He washed her feet himself–nothing like the decisive, commanding Kael who ran the company. Anyone who saw this would surely envy her.[]
But Nova’s eyes turned red. She clutched her phone rigidly, the words on the screen burning into her.[]
[Ms. Hale, so what if you took photos of me hitting Lila? I just sweet–talked Kael, and he got your phone for me. Now those photos are gone!]]]
[You have no idea how wild Kael got after you left the club tonight. I could barely keep up!][]
And you? You’re just a fool, kept in the dark by him and his friends!]]]
Nova held back the stinging in her eyes, staring blankly.[]
Yeah–she was a total fool, tricked by Kael for so long. She’d actually naively thought he’d stay loyal to her.[]
Beside her, Kael’s guilty voice was right in her ear. He looked up at her. “It’s all my fault. I didn’t take care of you. Will you forgive me this time?“[]
Nova lowered her eyes, hiding the redness in her sockets. After a moment, she let out a soft laugh. “It’s fine.“[]
It didn’t matter anymore.[]
Wasn’t this what he wanted? To treat her like a fool?
She’d play along.
Kael dried her feet, and at her words, the gloom in his chest lifted completely.[]
He stood, pulling her into a tight hug like he’d gotten her back, nuzzling her neck. “Thanks, baby. Oh, and you mentioned going to Mabel’s last time–how about I you tomorrow?”
Was this his apology for cheating? A slap, then a sugar cube?]]
“Okay.” Nova laughed bitterly.
Her grandma Mabel had really been wanting to see Kael, after all.]
go
with
She pulled out of his hug, turned her back to him, and lay down on the bed. “Let’s sleep. I’m kind of tired. I won’t eat the late–night snack–I feel sick, can’t stomach it…”
Her last words were quiet. Kael, too caught up in his relief, didn’t hear them. He leaned down to kiss her cheek, then lay beside her.
“Goodnight, baby “1
Nova mumbled a vague response, rubbing the spot he’d kissed hard with her fingertip. When Kael fell asleep, she threw off the covers and got up.[]
She walked to the calendar, drawing a red X on the 27th:[]
Ordy 20 days left until she left.
She didnt go back to bed Instead, she headed to the study to keep working on her jewelry designs.[]
She’d had new ideas for a few details today and needed to revise them properly:]
The man had underestimated her–she couldn’t afford to lose her career too.[]
The next morning, Kael woke up, reaching automatically for Nova beside him–only to touch cold sheets ||
His mind cleared instantly, a sudden wave of panic washing over him. “Baby?“]
T
Chapter 10 When Nova Left, Kael Panicked!
He got out of bed, checking the bedroom, bathroom, and walk–in closet–no sign of her.[]
His gaze fell on the calendar on the wall, and he saw four bright red X’s already marked. A sharp sense of loss hit him.[]
“What’s wrong?”
Just then, Nova pushed the door open–she was already dressed and made up.]
Kael snapped back to reality, seeing her standing there safe and sound. The heaviness in his chest lifted.[]
He walked over, pulling her into a hug, rubbing her back and murmuring greedily, “Good you’re here.“[]
He’d been overthinking. Why would Nova leave him? She’d stay with him forever.[]
Nova heard the loss in his voice, a mocking smile tugging at her lips as she pushed him away. “Come on, we need to get to the office. We’re going to Grandma’s for lunch later, remember?“]]
“Mhm. Whatever you say, baby.“[]
-0
Mabel was getting on in years. As soon as Nova told her she’d be coming with Kael for lunch, she’d started preparing food first thing in the morning.[]
Nova’s heart warmed, but a dull ache lingered too.
Her parents had divorced when she was young. Before she turned five, she’d lived with her mom–then her mom remarried, and she went back to her dad. Her dad was always busy with work, so Mabel had raised her.[]
Mabel had also been the witness to her and Kael’s love; she’d always approved of him.[]
When he’d asked for her hand in marriage, he’d promised Mabel sincerely he’d never let her down.[]
But Kael had cheated anyway.[]
Nova blinked away the stinging in her eyes.[]
Near noon, Kael picked Nova up downstairs.]
As soon as she got in the passenger seat, he handed her a box of peeled grapes and some snacks, thoughtful as ever.[]
“It’s still a bit of a drive. You can watch your show and eat something good.” He ruffled her hair affectionately.[]
Nova pressed her lips together, staring at the things in her hands. Her chest felt tangled.]
If Kael hadn’t been so good to her, she wouldn’t be hurting this much.]]
After all, even quitting smoking had withdrawal symptoms–let alone leaving a man she’d loved for nine years.]]
Nova took a deep breath, turning to look out the window.[]
Half an hour later, the car pulled up in front of the apartment building.[]
Mabel was waiting at the door; she spotted them right away and hurried over, smiling. The three of them went upstairs together.]
It was a bright, sunny Jane day. Nova helped Mabel in the kitchen, chatting with her while they worked.]
Kael stepped back to give them space, waiting in the living room.
Suddenly, has phone vibrated–bad tuning.]
When be saw the contact name, his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. He glanced at Nova, busy in the kitchen, then slipped the phone into his hand and snuck to the bestroom to answer []
Sloane’s choked sobs came through the line “Kael, I’m so hurt. Everyone online is calling nie… a slut, saying I should die. Is it really my fault? Maybe I should just die..
The girls broken whimpers made Kael’s heart clench “Sloane! Don’t think like that! Those people are talking nonsense—don’t you dare overthink it![]
Kael. I don’t know what to do. They re all attacking me if I die, will it all stop?“]]
Kael paled, panicking []
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Chapter 10 When Nova Left, Kael Panicked!
Sloane had depression–she’d never be able to handle those online attacks. Besides, Sloane had posted those things on Twitter because of Nova. If she was suffering now, Nova was part of the reason…[]
Just then. Nova’s gentle voice called from outside. “Kael. lunch is almost ready!“[]
Kacl closed his eyes, torn. His head was filled with Sloane’s hysterical cries on the phone. If he didn’t go to her, something terrible might happen.[]
Lunch? They could have it another time. It was fine.[]
He didn’t hesitate, pushed open the door, and ran right into Nova, who’d been about to knock.[]
She seemed in an unusually good mood, smiling more than usual. “Time to eat! Grandma made your favorite sweet and sour fish just for you!“}]
Guilt twinged in Kael. But he couldn’t put off Sloane any longer.
“Nova, I just got a call. There’s an emergency with the resort project–I have to go right now. I can’t stay for lunch with you and Mabel. Can we do it another time? I’m sorry.” His face looked urgent, panicked.[]
The resort project was a huge part of the company–any emergency was a big deal.]]
Nova didn’t doubt him. Even though she felt a little let down, she comforted him. “It’s okay. Work comes first. Go–we can have lunch another time. Grandma will understand.”
Kael touched her cheek lightly, then hurried out the door.
Nova stood silent for a moment, pushing down her disappointment before going to the kitchen to explain to Mabel.]
Mabel said it was fine, but Nova could see the sadness in her eyes.]
The meal felt tasteless.
Before three in the afternoon, Mabel started urging Nova to leave, worried she’d miss work.[]
Nova couldn’t refuse, so she headed out.[]
She had something really important to do anyway…]
