Chapter 79 Nova Lent
Chapter 79 Nova Left
What happened next made her blood run cold–Sloane wrapped her arms around Kael’s shoulders, and they kissed–slow, intimate, unashamed.
Nova’s heart plummeted. Her face turned deathly pale, tears pooling in her eyes as she watched them.
If only he’d glance this way, he’d see me.
But he didn’t.
Kael seemed to realize the street wasn’t the best place. He slipped an arm around Sloane’s waist and guided her into the car, slamming the door shut.
Nova’s heart sank with it. The light in her once–bright eyes faded completely–snuffed out like a candle in the wind.
“Shit!” The tall man hissed in pain, clamping his hand tighter over her mouth. “You wanna die, bitch?!”
“Why waste time with her?” the other snapped. “Don’t you remember how she bullied Sloane?”
They stopped pretending to be gentle. They dragged Nova roughly toward the garden at the end of the alley.
She was trapped–helpless as a fish on a chopping block, unable to break free.
From a distance, she watched Kael and Sloane drive away, their little moment of “bliss” a knife twisting in her chest, while she was being attacked.
Nova sobbed, desperate. The wind stung her face, but she felt suffocated–like she was wrapped in a thick blanket, unable to breathe.
Did he hear me?
They were so close… He must have heard her scream.
So why didn’t he look back?
Nova’s brow furrowed in agony. The cold wind cut through her clothes, but her heart felt even colder–shattered into a million pieces.
Just then, an elderly man out for a walk spotted her being held captive. He frowned, approaching them. “Are you boys bullying this young lady?”
The tall man forced a smile. “No, sir, you’ve got it wrong! We’re just messing around!”
Nova’s eyes were red, tears threatening to spill.
The old man saw right through the lie. He yelled toward the security guards patrolling nearby. “Over here! Someone’s in trouble!”
Panic flashed across the two men’s faces. They dropped Nova and ran, too scared to look back.
“Miss, are you okay?” The old man hurried to help her up. “What was that about?”
Nova’s face was pale, her body aching all over. “Can you… Can you call the police, please?”
“Don’t worry, the guards chased them. They won’t get far,” he reassured her.
Nova nodded weakly “Thank you.”
The old man had a granddaughter of his own. Seeing Nova’s battered state tugged at his heartstrings. “Don’t be scared, dear. Where do you live? I’ll walk you
home.”
His simple kindness made Nova’s nose tingle.
A stranger cared more about her well being than the man she’d loved for a decade–the man who’d spent years breaking her heart.
She thought of Kael walking away with Sloane, and her throat tightened.
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Chapter 79 Nova Left
“Thank you,” she whispered again.
The old man walked Nova to her villa door.
She offered to make him a cup of coffee, but he declined, glancing at the ring on her finger. He patted her hand, his voice gentle but firm. “Young lady, ask your husband to drive you to work from now on. It’s not safe for you to be alone outside. Promise me you will?”
Nova froze. She stared at the ring, her fingers brushing over the cold metal. Bitterness welled up inside her. “I will. Thank you, sir.”
The old man smiled, leaning on his cane as he walked away.
Nova watched him leave, then turned toward the villa’s backyard–she couldn’t bring herself to go inside.
There, she found the small garden Kael had planted for her years ago, and the cherry tree that now stood tall and leafy. Tears blurred her vision.
“I’d never let you feel wronged, Nova.” She’d only mentioned once that she envied her friend’s garden. The next day, Kael had filled their backyard with flowers
Tears streamed down her face, unchecked.
Back when they were happy, Kael had wanted to be with her every second. Driving her to and from work was the least he did–her coworkers had joked that he was a “wife guy.”
But then… he started coming home later. Making excuses to leave her side.
Ten years… Even the sweetest love fades after ten years.
She’d lost the sparkle she once had–replaced by the monotony of married life. Sloane, with her youth and vitality, was a fresh distraction.
Nova’s throat tasted like ash. A hot tear rolled down her cheek.
She slipped the wedding ring off her finger. Her hands shook as she held it for a moment–then she threw it as far as she could.
And she walked away, not looking back.
In the car, as soon as the door closed, Kael pushed Sloane away, frowning. “Why did you come here?”
Sloane bit her lip, disappointment flickering in her eyes. She hooked her pinky around his, her voice soft. “I missed you. I was worried your hand would get
infected, so I brought you medicine.”
She pulled two tubes of ointment from her bag, explaining carefully, “This one’s for inflammation and pain. This one’s for scars. Don’t get your wound wet…“
Kael stared at her gentle face, and for a second, he saw a flash of Nova–younger, tearful, bandaging his basketball injuries.
“You didn’t have to,” he said, his voice softer.
He pulled himself together, but he couldn’t help but ruffle her hair gently.
Sloane watched his expression, seizing the moment. She wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her head on his chest.
“I didn’t know the paparazzi would follow me. I’m sorry for causing you trouble,” she said, her voice quiet and contrite,
Men loved women who knew their place. Sloane knew this well. She added, “Don’t worry, Kael. I won’t let Nova find out about this.”
Kael’s eyes darkened. He patted her shoulder, “Good.”
Sloane’s heart fluttered.
He still cares about me.
It’s only a matter of time before I replace Nova.
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He Cried at My Funeral. I Laughed at His Gala
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Chapter 79 Nova Left
“Kael…” She bit her lip, her eyes soft and seductive. She was about to ask him to stay with her that night–while he was in a good mood.
But he cut her off, his tone sharp. “Since you’re here, I don’t have to go find you.”
Sloane froze, then brightened. He wants to spend time with me!
She dropped her eyes, pretending to be shy.
But his next words shattered her hope.
“You’ve seen the news. Nova’s being cyberbullied because of what happened in the hospital,” Kael said, pushing her away. His eyes were cold, no warmth left. “Later, you’ll record a clarification video and post it online.”
Sloane stared at him, her face turning pale. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
Didn’t he know how damaging a “clarification” would be for her career? Didn’t he realize the internet would call her a liar, an attention–seeker? Her reputation
would be ruined.
‘Kael…” She bit her lip, tears welling up.
Kael’s patience was wearing thin. He checked his watch–half an hour had passed. Nova would be waiting for him at home, hurt and alone.
‘I won’t say it again. Sam will help you record it,” he said.
He tapped his finger on the armrest, his lips curling into a cold smile. “Unless… you want the paparazzi to follow you again?”
loane’s eyes widened, her face turning as white as a sheet.
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