Chapter 2 The Mistress Showed Up, Kael Panicked
Kael stared at his phone–on the screen, a text confirmed the account had been canceled.[]
Panic flashed across his face, obvious even to the naked eye.[]
“Nova, what did you cancel?“]
To get a death certificate, of course she’d had to cancel her ID.]
But Nova kept her expression calm. As he leaned in, she caught sight of the hickeys hidden under his collar–splotchy red marks that made her eyes sting.]
She met his anxious gaze and let out a soft laugh.[]
“Nothing important. Just a game. It was hurting my eyes, so I quit.“[]
“Oh… a game.”
Kael finally relaxed. He set the phone down and pulled her into a hug, like he’d just gotten her back.[]
Nova, didn’t you say you wanted to go shopping last time? I’ll go with you.”
Nova didn’t want to–she had no mood for it.
But Kael insisted. He’d already planned everything out.
Was this guilt? Was he feeling guilty?]]
Nova gave in.]
She’d be leaving soon, and she didn’t want to stir up trouble–didn’t want him to notice anything off.[]
The whole way there, Kael was attentive to a fault.[]
It was the middle of summer, sweltering hot outside. But Kael, a CEO of a major company, bent down to hold an umbrella over her.]
People around them whispered in envy.
“Wait, isn’t that Mr. Voss and Nova? Wow, he dotes on her so much.“]
Tell me about it–everyone in New York knows about their love story. Kael’s famous for spoiling his wife. She likes cherries, so he planted a whole cherry tree in their backyard. When will I find a guy like that?“]
“Come on, Nova’s the one Kael fought tooth and nail for–of course he’d treat her like a treasure.“]
Nova twitched her lips into a bitter smile.[]
They walked into a luxury boutique.]
The sales clerk greeted them eagerly. “Ma’am, take a look at this gown–it’s a classic from our brand. You have such a great figure; it’ll look amazing on you.“]
Karl said with a doting smile, “Buy whatever you like, baby. Price doesn’t matter.“]
Nova pressed her lips together, about to say something–when a high, sweet voice cut in from behind.[]
“Classics are so last decade. How boring.“]
Sloane stepped forward, a smile on her perfectly made up face. She picked up a new summer style, her tone loaded.[]
“New styles are way better–so fresh and young[]
“Don’t you think so, Mrs. Voss?“]
Her expression looked innocent, but her eyes held obvious provocation []
Nova recognized her–she was the girl who’d been with Kael last night
Chapter 2 The Mistress Showed Up, Karl Panicked
Couldn’t even wait a little longer?]
Kael’s face darkened, his eyes shooting Sloane a warning.]
But Sloane ignored it, pushing on–Nova was just a pushover, right? She could push her around a little. And Kael doted on her; she’d just apologize later and he’d forgive
her.
Sloane suddenly put on a sorry face.[]
“Oh, I forgot–Nova, you’re 26 now. A frilly dress like this… I’m not sure it’d suit you. My bad.“[]
As she spoke, a triumphant smile tugged at her lips.[]
Nova laughed. She reached out and checked the price tag on the dress.]
“It is fresh and young. But only someone cheap would treat a cheap dress like a treasure.[]
“Oh wait–no. It’s cheap people who go for cheap things.[].
“New styles come every season–they’re just fads that fade. Classics? They last forever.“[]
Was she calling her cheap?
Sloane’s face turned bright red. Even her perfect makeup couldn’t hide her embarrassment.[]
She looked at Kael, her eyes watering, expecting him to comfort her–like he always did.
But instead, Kael pulled Nova into his arms. “My wife’s right. Classics are better. New styles are just cheap.”
Sloane bit her lip, her eyes now fully teary. “Fine! I’m just a cheap person–how could I compare to Mrs. Voss? She’s the one you dote on, not me… I’m sorry. I overstepped.”
She turned and walked away, her shoulders slumping.
Kael’s chest tightened. His first instinct was to chase after her–but he stopped, glancing at Sloane’s lonely back, then at Nova.
Nova noticed his small hesitation. She let out a soft laugh, pulled away from him, and walked toward a dress in a glass case.
“I want this one. The most expensive one here.“[]
Kael snapped back to his senses. He pulled out his credit card and handed it to the clerk. “Charge it. Buy everything my wife had her eye on just now.“[]
The clerk’s eyes lit up. “Mr. Voss, you’re so sweet to Mrs. Voss!“]
Kael smiled. “She’s my wife–who else would I spoil?”
Nova’s lips twisted into a mocking smile. She said nothing.
-.0
They left the boutique.]
Nova was already bored. She pursed her lips, and Kael noticed–he told her to wait on a bench while he went to buy her coffee.
He used to be like this–he’d notice every little gesture of hers, know exactly what she wanted.[]
But now… would he do the same for Sloane?
Kael held the coffee to her lips. “Taste it–same as before?“]]
Nova’s eyes darkened, and he took a small sip.]
The taste was the same. But the person… wasn’t.)
Just then, her phone vibrated in her bag
It was a text from an unknown number]
[Nova, how did it feel seeing me with Kael last night? Hurt?!]
fril tell you a secret–every night he wasn’t home, he was with me. He loves me. We go through a whole box of condonis every time.]]
Chapter 2 The Mistress Showed Up, Kael Panicked
Nova stared at the screen, her eyes cold as ice.[]
Another text came: [Wanna bet? Kael’ll leave you to come find me in ten minutes.]
Nova didn’t think he would. Kael was a cheater, but he still knew which side his bread was buttered on. He wouldn’t leave her for Sloane over a few texts.[]
But she was wrong.I
Right in front of her, Kael pulled out his phone. A smile tugged at his lips as he read a message. Then he put the phone away and turned to her, his face serious.[]
“Nova, there’s an emergency with a project at the company. I’ll have the driver take
“Huh…“]]
you home, okay?”
Nova glanced at her phone–on the screen, there was a screenshot of a flirty text exchange between Kael and Sloane.[]
So this was his “emergency“?
Sleeping with Sloane?]]
“Okay. Go.”
She swallowed the bitter taste in her throat and didn’t try to stop him.[]
Kael was surprised–she didn’t pout, didn’t beg him to stay like she used to. A strange emptiness tugged at his chest… but then his phone vibrated again, and he shook it off.[
“Good girl,” he said. “I’ll be back soon.”
He left in a hurry.]]
The second he was gone, Nova picked up the coffee and threw
it
into the trash can. Her eyes were cold and hard.[]
A minute later, her phone buzzed again. It was a photo from Sloane–she was in Kael’s car, grinning, with her arms around his neck.
The text read: [The one who’s not loved is the other woman, Nova. See how desperate Kael is for me?]]
Nova replied: [Yeah. Trash belongs with trash. You two are perfect for each other.]]]
Sloane didn’t text back.[]
-.0
When Nova got home, she packed a few more things. She pulled her design books and sketches out of the closet and set them in her suitcase–these were her treasures.
If she’d never married Kael, what kind of life would she have had?]
Bitterness welled up in her chest.]
But it wasn’t too late to start over.
She packed a little each day–someone paying attention would’ve noticed.[]
But Kael didn’t notice anything.
When she was done, she walked to the calendar and drew an X on the 25th.
Kael 28 days left.[]
A sound came from the doorway–Kael was home.[]
He pushed open the bedroom door and saw her standing by the calendar. For some reason, those red X stood out in a sharp, unpleasant way.[]
“Nova, what are you doing with that?]
Kael walked over, his voice tight with nervousness.{}
