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 14.7 % 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 ! ] 15.11 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- " ] 15