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 . { }