Chapter 13 No " From Now On " She stared at the ashes left in the fire pit , then let out a soft laugh . " Nothing important - just some useless junk . It was taking up space in the bedroom . " ] Kael didn't suspect a thing , though he paused for a moment when he saw the ashes at the bottom of the pit . [ ] He knelt down to help her stand , rubbing her cold hands between his own . " I'll handle stuff like this from now on . You just rest at home . " ] ] Nova stared blankly at their intertwined hands . [] She'd always had cold hands , no matter the season , and he'd never gotten tired of warming them up for her . But now ... these hands had touched another woman . [ ] Nova blinked away the stinging in her eyes , pulling her hands free . [ ] She answered in a perfunctory tone , " Sure ... " ] ] Too bad there would be no " from now on . " n . "] Back when they hadn't had much money , she'd thought every gift he gave her was the most precious thing in the world - she'd treasured them like they were her own eyes . Now ? She'd never pour her heart into valuing his gifts again . [] " Put out the fire , will you ? " she said softly . [ ] " Okay . Stand back - don't let any sparks get on you . Kael took her arm , pulling her behind him to shield her . [ ] His broad back was rigid - once , she'd thought this back was her safest refuge ... ]] Nova turned her head away , tears pricking her eyes . ] The fire in the pit died down slowly , just like their love - snuffed out by Kael's own hands . " Let's go . " After cleaning up the fire pit , Kael put his arm around Nova's shoulders and walked back . " The milk's in the bedroom . Go on up . " Warmth showed in his eyes . [ ] It only made Nova think of the lewd side of him she'd seen with Sloane earlier . How ironic . ]] " Go ahead . " She pushed him away , walking up the stairs with a calm expression . [ ] Behind her , Kael curled his empty palm , watching her go with a lost look . She was still night there beside him , but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was slipping away ... [ ] Nove used to cling to him so tightly - no matter what he did , she'd stay by his side , calling him " Honey " in that sweet voice ... ] Now , she didn't cũng to hum anymore . [ ] Worse , she hadn't called him " Honey " even once these past few days . [] Pand made Karl's brows furrow . [ ] Could it be she's found out about Sloane ? ] No way I've hidden it so well . She couldn't know ! ) 5 Nova returned to the bedroom , washed off her exhaustion , and collapsed onto the bed . ] Dung Iter phone screen ur up , a photo popping up Chapter 13 No From Now On Nova's eyes widened , her gaze trembled , and she dug her nails into her palm . The photo was of Kael and Sloane , mid - tryst - Kael's face was filled with pleasure , his sharp features twisted into a reckless , boyish grin . He looked just like he had when she first met him ... except now , something had soured . [ Oops , sent that by mistake . ] [ Kael asked me to send it to him - said he wants to look at it when he's bored . ] ] ] [ Weird , right ? Isn't he supposed to love you ? Then why did he tell me he's bored when he's with you ? ] [ ] So Kael resents me that much ? She thought about it - before they married , she'd been young and bright , like a little sun , easy to love . [ ] After marriage , she'd become more " domestic , " less youthful . [ ] Of course he'd find her boring . [ ] Nova bit her tongue , the sharp pain spreading . [] She typed back : [ Animals are just for killing boredom . ] ] She tossed the phone aside . No reply came for a long time . She felt like all her energy had been drained , lying on the bed like a lifeless doll ] Just then , Kael pushed the door open . [] He saw Nova " asleep " and didn't disturb her . [ ] He quietly turned off the main light , leaving only a warm nightlight on . [ ] He tucked the covers around her , then lay down beside her . Remembering her menstrual cramps , he used the hand warmer to soothe her lower abdomen . [] " Sleep ... " He pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head - so tender it hurt . Nova's body tensed . In the dark , her eyes were red and swollen . [ ] When he finally fell asleep , she pulled away without hesitation and rushed to the bathroom , scrubbing her body fiercely . After her shower , she couldn't sleep anymore , so she went to the study to keep working on her jewelry designs . ] ... 0 The next morning , Kael woke up to an empty space beside him . Nova wasn't in his arms - she was lying on the edge of the bed . [ ] She must have rolled over in her sleep again . He chuckled , stretching his arm to pull her into his embrace . His stubbly chin brushed her neck playfully . [ ] " I dont have much work today . I'll go out with you this morning . How about the amusement park ? You used to love the haunted house ... " ] Nova lowered her eyes . She'd stayed up late drawing designs last night - she didn't feel like going out . ] Karl was like a dog begging for a bone , wheedling , " I prepared a surprise for you . Just come see it , okay ? " ] Nova couldn't argue with him . Reluctantly , she agreed . [ ] She had only 25 days left before the left - she didn't want to arouse his suspicion before then . ] Karl's face it up . He cupped her cheeks , leaning in to kiss her . Nova's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly - she turned her head , avoiding his lips . [ ] " Baby . " Karl looked disappointed , his eyes intense . " You've been pushing me away lately ... ] Nova didn't bother explaining . She forced a faint smile . " Your stubble's scratchy . Go wash up first ... " ] } She pushed him away and got out of bed , heading to the bathroom Karl followed right after him . The gloom faded from his face he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind , grinning , " Baby , help me shave . " [ ] 11.0 % Chapter 13 No " From Now On " In the past , Nova would have done it without hesitation . She'd always given him whatever he asked for . [ ] But this time ... She pulled out of his arms , her face expressionless . " I'm washing my face . Do it yourself . " [ ] Kael's eyes darkened . He put on a pitiful look . " Just one minute , please ? " ] He'd done this before - acting like a harmless little puppy instead of the scheming wolf he was , begging for her attention . Every time , she couldn't bear to let him down . But now ? Nova was done playing along . " It's getting late . Stop being childish . " [ ] Kael was caught off guard by her cold refusal . A hollow feeling opened up in his chest . [] He thought about yesterday - he must have really hurt her feelings . [ ] He decided then - he'd make it up to her at the amusement park , no matter what . He held her tightly for a moment longer , resting his chin on her shoulder . ] ] His voice was soft . " I'll spend more time with you from now on . I won't make you sad again ... " " From now on ? " Nova laughed silently . [] There was no " from now on " for them . [ ] Kael , in 25 days , you'll be all alone . [ ] It was the middle of summer . Kael held a sun umbrella over her , carrying her bag for her , taking care of her every need . [ ] If she so much as glanced at something , he'd buy it for her . [ ] He knew she loved the haunted house - even though the line was hours long , he didn't hesitate to wait in the scorching sun . [ ] A girl passing by looked on in envy , nudging her boyfriend . " Look at him ! Learn how to treat a girl right ! All you do is play on your phone ! Did you come to spend time with me , or with your screen ? " [] The guy looked annoyed . " Don't push it . " [ ] " You weren't like this when you were chasing me ! " [ ] Nova listened to their bickering , her eyes darkening with sadness . " Nova , I got the haunted house tickets ! Let's go ! " Kael ran over from the crowd , sweat dripping down his forehead . [ ] He'd looked irritable with everyone else - but when he saw her , his face lit up with a smile . He looked just like he had back in school , when he'd run to her after a basketball game . He took her hand , holding it tightly in his own . [ ] Memories of the past stabbed at Nova's heart ... Just then , someone walked toward them . ]