Chapter 20 Cutting Ties Mabel woke up the next day and was moved to the VIP ward . [ ] Kael had hired a nurse and a nutritionist to handle her daily needs - both top professionals , great at caregiving , and middle - aged women who could easily chat with Mabel ] Nova still felt distant from Kael , but for Mabel's sake , she didn't refuse . After lunch , Kael was chatting with Mabel . They were laughing , and Mabel no longer looked as worried as the day before . ] Clearly , Kael had explained what happened at the birthday banquet . Nova's lips twisted into a bitter smile . [] " Nova , the nurse is here to take care of me , " Mabel said , putting Nova's and Kael's hands together . She spoke earnestly , " Live well from now on . " ] Kael pulled Nova into a hug , eyes filled with doting . " Don't worry , Mabel . Nova's my everything - I'd never let her down . " [ ] Those words were identical to what he'd said when they'd met her family before marriage . ] Back then , her whole world revolved around him . [ ] Now , she couldn't tell how much was true . ] ] Nova forced a weak smile . For Mabel's sake , she still had to play along . [ ] They stayed at the hospital all day , leaving only at night . [ ] The silence in the car was suffocating . Nova was heads - down , replying to a message from Lila - who'd found info on that man : Corin Thorne , CEO of Thorne Group in Seattle . So he was from Seattle , no wonder she'd never heard of him ... ] ] [ Mr. Thorne is currently in New York overseeing operations at Prosperity Group , the branch office . ] ] ] Prosperity Group ? Nova fell into thought . Kael glanced at her several times , watching her stare at her phone . His gaze darkened , a panic rising . She was right there , nothing had changed - but he felt like he was on the verge of losing her . ]] His feelings for Sloane were only physical , just a fling . [ ] But Nova ? She was the one he couldn't afford to lose . He couldn't imagine life without her . [ ] " Nova ... " He reached out with his right hand to take hers , which rested on her lap - a gesture of appeasement . [ ] Nova stinctively turned off her phone , subtly moving her hand away . She turned to look out the window , thinking about what to say when she met Corin tomorrow ... She closed her eyes , brushing Kael off softly . " I'm a little tired . I'll rest for a bit - wake me when we get there . " [ ] Karl's throat fell dry . He tightened his fists secretly , glancing at her locked phone . Dark waves swirled in his eyes ... They sat in tense sence for a few seconds . ] He ruffled her soft hair gently , voice soft Sleep Til wake you when we arrive home . " [ ] Dusk fel !] After her shower , Nova walked to the calendar . She picked up a red pen and drew X's on two more dates [ ] Only 21 days left ! ] Suddenly , a warm breath - mixed with a faint smell of alcohol - pressed against her back [ ] Nove teased , struggling to pull away . " Kael " ] 30 06 Chapter 20 Cutting Ties " Nova , you've been so cold to me these days ... " Kael's lips brushed her neck , soft , fleeting kisses . His warm hands caressed her waist . " Your period's over , right ? " ] Couples fight , then make up in bed . He wanted to use intimacy to ease the coldness between them . [ ] Nova refused . The moment he lifted her nightgown and his hand touched her thigh , she pushed him away hard . " Kael , my stomach hurts ! " ] " You scraped your leg ... " His movements froze suddenly . His gaze fixed on the red scrape on her leg , brows furrowing . [ ] Nova's face was pale , fine sweat beading on her forehead and nose . She pulled her nightgown down from his hand , her body radiating resistance . [ ] Kael thought she was in pain . He quickly lifted her gently , placing her on the bed . He fetched the first - aid kit and applied medicine to her leg - careful and tender . ] ] " Did those bodyguards do this to you ? " A flash of anger passed through his eyes . [ ] " I guess so... " Nova bit her lip , heart tightening as she saw his worried expression . [ ] Once , even a tiny scratch would make him feel terrible , guilty for not protecting her . But now ? All her injuries were because of him ... ] Her eyes stung again . " I can do it myself ... " [ ] He held her hand , massaging it gently . He pressed it to his cheek , then kissed her palm . [ ] His voice was hoarse . " I'm sorry , Nova . It's my fault you got hurt . It won't happen again . " [ ] He looked up , gaze firm and sincere - making Nova's mind waver for a moment . [ ] ring br Just then , a melodious phone ring broke the tender atmosphere . [ ] Kael frowned , ending the call immediately . He muted the phone and tossed it aside , then cupped Nova's face to kiss her ... [ ] " It's just Trent and the guys . Ignore it . " But in that split second , Nova had seen Sloane's face on the screen . The last bit of warmth in her heart was doused by cold water . [] Her gaze turned cold . She avoided his kiss and lay down . " I'm tired after a long day . I'll sleep first . " [] Kael looked at her cold back , frustrated . [ ] Usually , a little apology would soften her - but now , she was so cold , even refusing to let him touch her . [] Just then , the phone - tossed aside earlier - lit up again . The screen flickered with revealing photos that sent a jolt of heat through Kael's veins . ] ] " Baby , ! heated milk for you in the microwave . I'll get it . " He grabbed the phone , left the bedroom , and went downstairs . ] ] At the same time , he answered the video call . ] Sloane's seductive voice cooed through the line as she posed . " Kael , I miss you ... I put on the dress you bought me ... Do you like it ? " No one knew about his private kinks - and Sloane knew exactly how to play to them . [ ] Karl's eyes turned even darker , throat bobbing as he stared at the screen . [ ] But Sloane had lied to hire before - tricking him into celebrating her birthday , lying about being pregnant , and almost getting caught by Nova . That had annoyed him . ] He lit a cigarette , taking a deep drag before speaking . " I'll have Sam send you some money in a few days . " Is he trying to get rid of me ? Sloane panicked instantly She stopped posing , tears welling in her eyes . " No , Kael ! I didn't mean to lie to you - I just... I missed you so much ! I know I was wrong this time . I'll never do it again ! " ] Kael rubbed tus temples , annoyed . He did have a soft spot for her - she was obedient in bed , never causing trouble . But he knew clearly that Nova mattered more to him . ] Sloste stoffed , " Karl , we've kept our relationship so secret . If Nova really suspected something , she would've confronted you by now , right ? Her coldness lately must be for another reason At those words , Kael froze . He put out the cigarette , frowning . " What do you mean ? " ] ] Sloane aniffed . " I'll send you a photo You'll re - Nova's been lying to you this whole timer " ] A photo popped up on the screen from days ago : them together at the bar , them getting into the same car ... And most importantly , the jacket Nova had worn later was Corin's ! [] . So that's why he'd felt something off between them at the hospital ! [ ] incidence ? A CEO like Corin - why would he go out of his way to drive her to the hospital ? [ ] here . " Nova wore Corin's jacket after getting out of the car . What do you think happened in that car ... " r ... " lice was so dark it looked like it could storm . Even through the screen , his anger was palpable . retly to herself . to see Kael and Nova tear each other apart . [ ]