Chapter 15 The Illegitimate Child
He looked uneasy.[
Did she… did she find out I was with Sloane just now?
But their spot had been so hidden.]]
Besides, Nova was afraid of the dark and ghosts–she’d never sneak over there alone![]
With that thought, Kael relaxed a little.]
He took her shoulders, leaning down to meet her eyes. The worry in his gaze didn’t seem fake.]
“You should’ve told me anyway. When I couldn’t find you, I thought something had happened to you…”
Nova stared at him, but still couldn’t spot a single flaw in his expression.[]
Lying came as easily to him as breathing. All the promises he’d made to her once–about being honest, about never hiding anything–had long vanished like smoke.[]
Nova, your ankle’s hurt.” Kael noticed her swollen ankle, his brows furrowing in concern.]
He bent down, lifting her into his arms, and walked toward a wooden bench not far away.
“It’s all my fault. I should’ve stayed with you the whole time…“[]
He took her ankle, gently pulling down her sock to check the injury, his movements careful and tender.[]
Nova watched, a faint red tinge rising at the corners of her eyes.
She suddenly remembered a sports day years ago, when she’d twisted her ankle during a run.
It hadn’t been that serious, but Kael–who was always so calm and composed–had cried from worry, staying by her side every second to take care of her…]]
That memory had made her heart flutter for a long time.
But just a while ago, in the haunted house, Sloane had said her ankle hurt, and he’d left her–scared of the dark, all alone–to carry Sloane out first.[]
“Don’t cry.” Kael noticed the tears welling in her eyes, his heart aching. “I’ll go buy some medicine right away. Sit here and wait for me–I’ll be back soon…”
He walked away, glancing back at her every few steps, his worry plain to see.
But Nova felt like she couldn’t see the real him anymore…]
How much of what he said–what he did–was real? And how much was just a show he put on?]
Just then, her phone vibrated in her bag. She thought it was a message from Kael, so she took it out–only to see a text from Sloane.]]
[Nova, wanna make a bet? Do you think Kael will come back to you… or stay with me?]]
Novas grip on the phone tightened.[]
She closed her eyes, didn’t reply, and turned off the screen…[]
She waited, clinging to that tiny sliver of hope…]
But Kari didn’t come back!)
Even a short walk of a few hundred feet would’ve taken no time at all.]
Nova’s face paled
Right then, her phone lit up again: a photo
in the picture, Kael was kneeling down, applying medicine to sloane’s ankle and her skin was just a little scraped.[]
He’d been so worried about Nova white he’d left her with a fully swollen ankle–all alone []
INova, you lost again f
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Chapter 15 The Megitimate Child
[Kael’s really good at taking care of people. Thanks for teaching him so well, Ms. Hale.1]
Nova stared at the screen, her eyes turning red.]
Her head dropped, eyes brushing over her swollen ankle.[]
A bitter, breathy laugh fell from her lips, and one tear trickled out from the corner of her eye, slow and unbidden.
“Miss, here you go.” A clear, childlike voice sounded beside her.[]
Nova pulled herself together, hastily wiping away her tears.]
She looked up at the little girl in front of her, startled.[]
The girl smiled. “It’s getting a bit cold. A man asked me to give you this coat. Put it on–you don’t want to catch a cold!“[]
Nova was confused. She was about to ask more questions, but the little girl had already stuffed the coat into her arms and run off on her short legs.]
“Wait!” Nova tried to stand up to chase her, but the dull pain in her ankle stopped her. When she looked again, the girl was already out of sight.[]
She sighed, lowering her eyes to the thin overcoat in her hands.]
It was high–quality, clearly expensive.[]
Strangely enough… the crisp, fresh scent on it felt vaguely familiar.[]
But whose coat could it be?]]
She thought through everyone she knew, but none of them fit…[]
It must be from someone she didn’t know, she decided.[]}
She didn’t put it on, just folded it neatly and set it aside. Either way, the warmth of the gesture lingered in her heart.[]
This little interlude passed quickly.
Kael finally arrived, clearly out of breath from running. “Sorry, Nova. Something came up on the way–I’m late. Let’s put the medicine on now…
That “something” was going to see Sloane, taking care of her, putting medicine on her ankle.
Nova laughed bitterly to herself, saying softly, “It’s fine.“]
Kael felt guilty seeing how compliant she was–especially when he looked at her swollen ankle, his remorse growing stronger.
How could I leave her here like that–all to run to Sloane?
He sat down beside her, lifting her leg onto his lap, and carefully applied the medicine.[]
“Baby, I’m sorry.”
He took a watch out of his bag, fastening it around her wrist, then held her hand. “Keep this on. From now on, no matter where you go, I’ll never lose you again. I was careless in the haunted house today–there won’t be a next time.“[]
Nova forced a smile, listening distractedly.[]
You already lost me a long time ago…]
She nodded indifferently: “Okay”
Her obedience made his heart ache with guilt.]
He fixed her clothes, then pulled her into a hug- -as if only this way could he fill the empty feeling in his chest.[]
Nova lowered her eyes, enduring the faint scent of perfume on him, her gaze cold and empty]
Over the next two days, maybe because of his guilt, Kael stayed by Nova’s side every second to take care of her while working from home.
His attention was nothing short of meticulous!]
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Chapter 15 The Illegitimate Child
Several times. Nova saw Sloane calling him, but Kael’s attitude was surprisingly cold.[]
How odd!]
VII
“Aren’t you gonna answer that?” Nova was sitting in a rocking chair on the balcony reading. She couldn’t help speaking up when she heard his phone vibrating again and again.
Kael hung up impatiently, walking over to her and pouring her a cup of coffee, handing it to her with an attentive look. “It’s nothing important. We agreed we’d go celebrate your grandma’s birthday later, remember?“[]
The mention of Mabel softened Nova’s expression. No matter how much she resented Kael, she still had to put on an act with him in front of Mabel.[]
She smiled softly, taking the cup of coffee.[]
Near noon. Kael went with Nova to pick up Mabel, then headed to the pre–booked restaurant for her 70th birthday.[]
Kael was good with words, knowing exactly how to make Mabel happy.
“As long as you and Nova stay happy together, I’ll have no regrets,” Mabel said earnestly. “You’ve been married for a few years now–it’s time to have a baby!“[]
Nova paused while peeling an orange, suddenly at a loss for how to brush her off.]
Just then, Kael’s large hand wrapped around hers, rubbing gently.[]
He smiled at Mabel. “Nova and I are still young. We want to enjoy a few more years of just the two of us first. We’re not in a hurry for kids–and I don’t want Nova to go through that hardship yet.“[]
His words were filled with doting affection.[]
Nova felt a pang of discomfort.[]
She forced a smile. “Grandma, my work’s at a critical stage right now. Besides, I’m still young–we can wait a few more years for a baby.”
Mabel nodded. She actually felt sorry for Nova too; she’d only mentioned it to remind them to start preparing.[]
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. “Mr. Voss…”
…“D
Kael’s secretary Sam Lloyd pushed the door open, looking like he didn’t know how to say what he needed to.
Kael frowned.]]
“Is it work? Go handle it first,” Mabel said. Sam had come in person, so it must be something urgent.[]
Nova spoke softly. “Go check it out.”
Kael gently rubbed her palm, apologizing to Mabel before standing up and walking out.[]
As soon as the door closed, Kael pulled at his tie, snapping at Sam, “Didn’t I tell you to put off all work today?”
Sam looked troubled. “Mr. Voss, it’s bad-“]
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