Chapter 12 Agony Unleashed - Burning Everything to Ashes ! In the next instant , someone covered her eyes [ ] Kael rested his chin gently on her shoulder , his tone so tender it hurt . " Wait a second before opening them . " [ ] Nova's eyelashes fluttered . Those words unwittingly unlocked memories - every time Kael had prepared a surprise for her , he'd said the same thing . ] The fireworks show when he confessed . The grand ceremony when he proposed ... Each memory had once made her heart race . [] But now , her heart was numb . [ ] Kael wrapped his arm around her waist and led her to the table . [ ] Eager as he was, he didn't notice her slightly stiff body . [ ] He opened the gift boxes one by one , then let go of her eyes and hugged her from behind . [ ] Nova's gaze trembled as she stared at the exquisite setup in the living room - rose petals forming a path , heart - shaped balloons everywhere , warm lights flickering... like a dream On the table were the gifts - clearly the pink diamond jewelry and jade set from the auction , plus a hairpin and a bracelet . [ ] These were the items Kael had bid on ... ] ] Why were they here ? Hadn't he bought them for Sloane ? What was Kael playing at ? [ ] A bitter sweetness swelled in Nova's chest - she found it all so ironic . [] " Do you like it ? " Kael asked softly , his large hands wrapping around hers and massaging gently . " I'm sorry I made you upset this morning . Let me make it up to you , okay ? You've always loved that pink diamond jewelry , right ? Let me put it on you ... " [ ] He reached for the pink diamond necklace in the box , leaning down slightly to fasten it around her neck . ] As he lowered his head , the collar of his shirt gaped open - revealing faint red marks that stabbed at Nova's eyes. [ ] These were things he'd bought while accompanying his mistress , maybe even rejects she'd tossed aside , now handed to her like charity . And yet he still put on this loving act ... ]] Nova bit her inner lip, closing her eyes as bitterness spread through her chest . Kael had no idea . ] ] She pushed his hand away - he'd been about to fasten the necklace . [ ] " I put it on later , " she said with a faint smile . " I want to pair it with a nice outfit first . " ] Kael trace for a second , but didn't suspect a thing . He pinched her cheek , grinning . " Sure . It's for you anyway - you pick the outfit . " ] He added . " And the gift for Mabel's 70th birthday - we'll give it to her then . " [ ] Nova lowered her eyes . If she hadn't seen him with Sloane that day , splurging to bid on things for Sloane , she might have softened a little for Mabel's sake . [ ] She forced a stulle - she had no energy left to play along . " It's late . I want to wash up . Can you put these things away first ? " ] Kael held her , lus Land brushing her waist lightly [ ] He kissed her cheek , his voice hoarse , " Shower together ? Til help you ... ] That hand felt like a venomous snake - sickening to Nova Tu not feeling well ! " She brushed his hand off , her face pale , chest heaving just thinking about him sleeping with sloane , then touching her now , made her stomach churn Karl stumbled backward , caught off guard . The desire in his eyes faded , replaced with confusion ] Chapter 12 Agony Unleashed - Burning Everything to Axhes ! But when he saw Nova's pale face ... He pressed his lips together , pulling her into a hug to soothe her . [ ] " I'm sorry - I didn't think . Go shower . I'll make you warm milk . " With that , he headed to the kitchen . [ ] Nova frowned as she watched him busy himself , a faint red tinge rising in her eyes . [ ] She glanced at the gift boxes on the table . ] They could have had such a happy marriage - why did Kael have to cheat ? Why betray nine years of love ? ] ] Nova shut her eyes tightly | ] She dragged herself back to the bedroom , ready to take a bath . But her phone , tucked in her pocket , started vibrating wildly . ]] She frowned and pulled it out - her eyes widened in shock . ] It was a selfie from Sloane . [ ] In the photo , Sloane wore the pink diamond necklace , and the jade bracelet on her wrist glinted brightly . [ ] [ Kael spent the whole afternoon with me , splurging to cheer me up . ] ] ] [ Some people should stop being deceived ! ] ] ] A man's love is where his money goes ... I think you're smart enough to understand that . ] ]] The screen's glow stung Nova's eyes . ] She stared at the photo for a long time , her knuckles white as she gripped the phone - but she felt no pain . [ ] Her pride had been crushed underfoot . [ ] Suddenly , she dropped the phone and stumbled downstairs ... [ ] with every step , a memory flashed through her mind : the million - dollar custom ring Kael had proposed with , the wedding dress he'd designed for her himself , the river - view villa he'd bought her for millions just because she'd mentioned liking it ... ] ] She couldn't believe it - couldn't believe Kael had lied about all of it ! She had to ask him . ] But when she reached the first floor , the kitchen was empty - only a mug on the counter . ] Her gaze flickered and turned toward the study . [ ] She pushed the door open a crack - and heard Kael's hoarse voice . [ ] Lift up Lower 1 Than From the other end of the line came Sloane's coquettish moan [ ] Karl.1 They were doing this over the screen - Nova felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over her head , freezing her to the core . [ ] Her stomach lurched ] She ran to the bathroom , retching violently until there was nothing left but acid [ ] Dazed , she stared at her reflection in the mirror - pale , haggard She looked so pitiful ( [ ] Nova closed her eyes , leaning weakly against the wall for a long time , like a broken doll [ ] Meanwhile , the study was filled with heated sounds . ] Chapter 12 Agony Unleashed - Burning Everything to Ashes ! She swallowed her pride , walked out of the bathroom , and went to the table with the gifts . ] Her hands trembling , she picked up the pink diamond jewelry to inspect it . [ ] As a jewelry designer , she knew a thing or two about authenticity . It was clearly a fake . | [ ] She swallowed the bitterness in her throat and picked up the jade bracelet - also fake . [ ] Nova laughed until she cried ... ] She went upstairs and dug out all the gifts Kael had given her . [] The bags were fake [ ] The diamond bracelet was fake . [] ... ] The South Sea pearl earrings were fake too ... Ever since he'd started seeing Sloane , everything he'd given her was a lie . Nova collapsed onto the floor , utterly defeated . [] The trust she'd had in him had become a weapon he used to hurt her . ] Kael , how could you be so heartless ? -0 After his video call with Sloane , Kael felt refreshed . [ ] Nova had been on her period these days and refused to let him near her in bed . But he was in his prime - he wanted her Since Nova wouldn't , he had to find release elsewhere ... ] It was just fun , he told himself . As long as he didn't let Nova find out , it wasn't cheating . [ ] Kael tidied his clothes , warmed the milk in the kitchen , and carried it to the bedroom - only to find Nova gone . ]] He noticed another thick red X on the calendar . A sudden panic gripped him , but then he remembered - these X's were counting down to their wedding anniversary . He relaxed , thinking he'd plan a big surprise for her that day . [ ] He walked out of the bedroom to look for her , and finally found her in the small garden outside the villa . [] Nova was squatting by a fire pit , staring blankly at the flames as she added dry wood ... ] every night . [ ] For some reason , seeing this made Kael's heart feel like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand , leaving him breathless . He walked over , his voice tight with panic . " Nova , what are you burning ? " [ ] Nova jumped