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 [ ] " 0 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 ... ]