Chapter 1 Dumping the Cheater
“Nova, you’re actually agreeing to divorce my son? This isn’t some trick?“]
“It is. But I want $10 million in alimony.”
A beat of hesitation came through the line. “Fine. But give me a month to wrap things up. After that, you’re out of his life for good.“]
Nova Hale forced a laugh, sharp with pain.[]
She slipped the divorce papers into an elegant velvet box and sealed it shut.[]
Then she opened her messages and sent a reply.]]
[Professor, I’ll be back in Seattle in a month for the design competition.]]
[Really? Don’t let me down! I always thought you were crazy to give up your dream for marriage. This is your second chance!]]]
…0
By 10 PM, Kael Voss was home.
Before he even kicked off his leather boots, he pulled Nova into a tight hug, his voice soft with fake urgency. “I’m so sorry, Nova. The highway was a disaster–don’t be mad at me, okay?“]]
His eyes looked warm, even tender.
se.l
But the faint, woodsy–floral perfume clinging to his cashmere sweater burned her nose.
Highway trouble? More like he’d just left another woman’s downtown loft.]
She blinked back the stinging in her eyes and held out the velvet box on the marble table.[]
She forced a smile. “This is for you.“]
“A gift?“]]
Kael’s face lit up, treating it like it was a rare artifact. He went to open it immediately, but Nova stopped his hand.[]
“Wait until our anniversary. In a month. It’ll hit different then.“[]
Kael paused, then grinned, brushing a strand of her hair off her cheek. “Whatever you want, baby. You call the shots.“[]
He pulled out his phone, snapped a photo of the box, and posted it to his Instagram Stories, his pride practically glowing through the screen.
But Nova’s throat tightened.[]
Memories flashed unbidden–Kael chasing her from high school to her college, fighting his family tooth and nail to marry her. His mom had sneered at her back then, saying. “No man stays loyal forever. You’ll be gone soon–and I’ll pay you to leave.” She’d defended him, saying, “Kael’s not like that.“]]
And now, Karl had proven her wrong. Turns out, all she needed was the money to walk away
clean.[]
Hele
Hope he’d really be happy in a month
-0
Karl fucked the box away in his custom closet, then headed to the kitchen to cook]
The table was soon covered with all her favorite dishes.[]
Nova watched the man’s busy figure in the kitchen, her eyes burning with soreness.]]
Back then, Karl had been a suave man who d never even stepped into a kitchen–when had he ever done something like this?]
Later, for her sake, he’d taken lessons for ages
After marriage, he’d been even more attentive–wherever he was, the d never had to lift a finger []
A06
Chapter 1 Dumping the Cheater
“You’ve lost weight–did you stay up late working again?” Kael said, piling food onto her plate. “From now on, every pound you lose means one less day at work.“[]
Every word was filled with thick concern.]
He treated her like a kid to spoil.]
But Nova’s heart was a jumble of emotions, bitter and unbearable.[]
“Kael, do you love me?”
She looked up at him, her eyes a little red.[]
When Kael saw that, he panicked, immediately putting down his fork to pull her into a hug. “I love you, Nova. You’re my whole life. When you cry, my heart breaks. Did someone say something to you? Tell me I’ll fix it.“[]
The love and worry in his eyes didn’t seem fake.[]
Nova couldn’t help but zone out, mages unconsciously popped up in her mind: photos of him kissing another woman, holding hands on a foreign street.[]
In fact, she’d known he had an affair a month ago.]
He still thought he was hiding it well
But little did he know–the faint perfume on his body, the long hair on his clothes… they’d already given him away.[]
Heh.
Did he really love her?
Just then, the phone by her hand vibrated.]]
The man glanced at it, dark waves surging in his eyes, and pressed the power button to turn it off.[]
But Nova still saw the name on the screen: Sloane Reed.[]
“What’s wrong?”
Nova’s throat felt dry as she looked at him, trying to spot even a tiny crack in his act.[]
But there was nothing.
“Nothing,” Kael said, flipping his phone face–down. “There’s an issue with a project. I need to go check on it. Stay home–I’ll be right back.“[]
Nova’s heart sank. She grabbed the hem of his shirt, trying to hold him back. “What work is so urgent that you have to handle it at night? Can’t it wait until tomorrow?“]
Kael didn’t hesitate. He pulled her into a tight hug, patting her back gently. “Okay. I’ll stay with you.”
He was so gentle, but Nova’s heart twisted into a knot, aching so bad she could barely breathe.
The meal tasted like nothing.
That night, after taking a shower, she’d just stepped out of the bathroom, and Kael wrapped his arms around her from behind, his broad body exuding raw tension.[]
His hands caressed her waist, slowly moving lower…]
“Honey, your period’s over, right?”
Nova’s eyes were tinged with pink. The moment his hand reached for her robe, she pushed it away.[]
“I’m a little tired.”
Kael paused, the desire on his face fading, replaced with a pitiful look. “Honey…”
Nova’s face was expressionless as the climbed into bed to sleep []
When Kael saw how firm she was, he didn’t push her. He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Sleep, I’ll go to the study to finish work.“]
“Okay T
As night deepened, a soft door creak sounded, and Nova opened her eyes instantly.
Chapter 1 Dumping the Cheater
Maybe it was a woman’s sixth sense.
She got out of bed, threw on a coat, and left the bedroom.]
She checked the study–no one was there.
She frowned, and when she glanced to the side, she saw two tangled figures in the garden outside the window. Her body froze stiff.[]
“Who told you to come here! I said before–don’t let Nova find out!“]
Kael pushed the woman away, snapping at her angrily.[]
Sloane’s eyes were misty with tears as she boldly wrapped her arms around his waist.[]
“I just think you’re too stuck pretending. She won’t satisfy you, but I will, Kael. Look–I’m wearing the pajamas you bought me. Do you want to see?”
As she spoke, she pulled down her top, standing on tiptoes to kiss the man’s jaw. “Kael, come on.” “0
Kael’s breathing clearly grew heavier. He squeezed her waist hard.[]
He’d just been rejected by Nova–right now, he really wanted to release his urges.
“You little troublemaker.“]
He kissed along her neck, whispering dirty words in her ear, then hurried to pick her up and carry her toward the car not far away.]
Soon, the car started shaking.]
It was obvious how intense it was.
Nova watched, her eyes stinging, big tears plopping down. Her heart hurt so bad she could barely breathe.[
Because of her family background, she’d never believed in love.[]
Later, Kael had chipped away at her resolve with his affection.[]
He had doted on her so much–he’d never pushed further, even when they were passionate. He’d only kissed her.[]
It wasn’t until their wedding night that he had carefully taken off her clothes.]}]
That arrogant man had even gotten teary–eyed.[]
He’d held her tenderly and said, “I’ll never let you down in this life.“[]
Back then, her heart had melted completely. “Listen, Kael. As long as you don’t let me down, I’ll never leave you.“]]
And now, all of this felt like a joke.[]
He still let her down]
Then she would leave him–forever.]
Nova turned and walked away silently. Back in the bedroom, she packed some clothes into a suitcase.[]
After that, she walked to the calendar and drew an X on the 24th.
Kael Still 29 days left.]
Nova didn’t sleep all night. She’d only drifted off just before dawn.[]
Early in the morning, Kael’s panicked voice woke her up
“Nova, what is this?”
Nova opened her eyes groggily. When she saw what he was holding, her heart skipped a beat.[]
It was her reservation for the fake death service!
