Chapter 3 The Twist - Sweet Victory for Some , Misery for Others Nova capped her pen , her tone calm and flat . " Nothing important . Our anniversary is next month , so I've been counting down the days . " ] She adjusted his tie , her eyes lowered to hide the indifference in them . " Just make sure you open the gift I got you when the day comes . " [ ] Kael's heart softened instantly . He took her hand , his thumb brushing over her knuckles as he smiled . " Don't worry , baby - I've been thinking about that gift every day . I can barely wait . " Can barely wait ? Nova's lips twitched into a faint , bitter line . Then a sweet , familiar scent hit her , and she glanced in surprise at the paper bag in his hand . " Apple pie ? " ] ] " Got it in one , my little foodie . " Kael laughed and tapped her nose playfully before handing her the bag . [ ] " Go on - dig in . " Apple pie had always been her favorite . ]] Back when they were first together , Kael - then a spoiled heir who'd never waited in line for anything - would stand in long queues just to buy it for her . [ ] e . " ] He'd teased her once , saying , " You're so easy to please , " and she'd smiled and replied , " It's because I love you . The little things matter more . " Now , she took the bag silently and bit into one . It tasted the same as always - sweet but not cloying - but something felt off . [ ] Kael watched her for a moment before speaking up . " Nova , about that gown you liked earlier ... turns out someone already reserved it . The sales clerk made a mistake . Let me buy you another one , okay ? " ] Nova froze . The apple pie in her mouth suddenly tasted like ash . [ ] So that's how it was - he was taking something she loved and giving it to his mistress to smooth things over . [ ] She blinked back the stinging in her eyes and nodded . " Sure . " ] She didn't want the gown anymore . " And she didn't want him , either . -0 The next morning - Monday - Noya had just arrived at the office when her assistant , Lila Bennett , rushed over , her face flushed with urgency . [ ] Nova steadied her by the shoulders . " Slow down . What's going on ? " " Nova , It's bad ... " ] Nova strided toward the CEO's office , threw open the door , and slammed a stack of files onto Kael's desk . [ ] " Kael , you're replacing the spokesperson I chose ? Why didn't you even discuss this with me first ? " Her hard work was being tossed aside like trash , and a tight , aching feeling pricked at her throat . Kael set down his pen , stood up quickly , and pulled her into a hug , rubbing her back gently . " Calm down , baby . This is my fault - I should've told you sooner . ] " But the spokesperson you picked has been caught in a scandal . We had to switch . " He handed her a folder with the details . [ ] Nova scanned the papers , her anger fading a little , " Then who did you pick instead ? " ] " Sloane Reed . She's with Skyline Media - really popular online right now . Funny enough , we ran into her at the boutique yesterday . " The words hit Nova like a punch to the chest . She stared at him in shock Kael kept talking , trying to soothe her . " The marketing team did a full analysis . Sloane's a better fit for the product , all things considered . [ ] What do you think ? " 1 : | : ས 1 :|: ཀར 1 : ཀུན དུ Chapter 3 The Twist - Sweet Victory for Some , Misery for Others Nova's throat felt tight , like she was choking on a rock . He was giving her hard - earned project to his mistress ? [ ] She forced out a question . " If I say no ... will you pick someone else ? " ] Kael hesitated . It was clear he was torn between her and Sloane . ] Nova let out a bitter laugh , pushed him away , and turned toward the door . " Forget it . Do what you want . " [ ] Her cold tone made Kael freeze . They'd disagreed before , but they'd never shut each other out like this . A flicker of unease ran through him . " Nova ! " [ ] He chased after her , but the elevator doors closed just as he reached them . Regret hit him - he shouldn't have agreed to Sloane's request last night . Then a soft pair of arms wrapped around his waist from behind , and Sloane's voice purred in his ear . " Kael ... " [ ] Kael's mood soured , but he turned around and kissed her forehead gently . ] " Be good . I told you not to approach me in public . Go home , okay ? " Sloane's eyes watered , but she nodded . " I'm sorry - I just missed you so much . I won't do it again . " [ ] " Good girl . " Kael kissed her again , then walked away , satisfied with her obedience . Sloane watched him leave , her jaw tight . [ ] Men loved compliant women - but she'd make Nova pay for stealing Kael's attention . Back in her office , Nova focused on sketching a new jewelry collection for the design competition in a month . ] She was so absorbed that she didn't hear the door open until Kael walked in , holding a fancy gift box . ] Inside was the jewelry set she'd admired earlier . ] Nova quickly tucked her sketches into a drawer as he approached . [ ] " Im sorry about earlier , baby . Don't be mad at me . " He massaged her shoulders , his voice soft with apology . Nova frowned and pushed his hands away . [ ] She was tired of playing along . " I'm not mad anymore . Go back to work - I'm busy . " Her tone was polite , but her eyes were cold . [ ] Kael didn't feel relieved Once , she'd lit up at the smallest gifts - even a single rose . Now , she didn't even glance at the jewelry ] He opened his mouth to say something , but his assistant knocked on the door , reminding him of a meeting . He left reluctantly . " Chapter 3 The Twii - boret Victory for some , Misery for inhers Nova paused , her pen hovering over the paper !! She didn't want to see sloane , but she had to go for the marketing teaur's sake ) " Til he there . " That night , Nova arrived at the Fairmont Hotel in an elegant white soft As soon as she stepped into the ballroom , she spotted sloane - dressed in the gown Nova had liked - surrounded by a crowd of people . ] Even though she'd known Kael had given it to Sloane , seeing it on her unde Nova's chest ache . Sloane noticed her too and flashed a bright smile - one that screamed , " Look what Kael gave me . You're nothing to him " " Sloane , that gown is stunning ! " someone gushed . " I heard it costs over a million dollars . " " Wow ! Who bought it for you ? " ] " ... " Sloane giggled , her eyes locked on Nova as she spoke . " My boyfriend . I told him I didn't need it , but he insisted . ] ] " He said only I could make it look good- -no one else . " ] She emphasized the last three words , her tone dripping with arrogance . [ ] " Your boyfriend is so sweet another person said . " He must dote on you as much as Mr. Voss dotes on Ms. Hale ! " ] Laughter filled the room , but Nova stood still , her hands clenched into fists at her sides . [ ] So this was how Kael acted with Sloane - generous , attentive , eager to please . ] ] She took a deep breath and stepped forward , her voice cold and sharp . " Boyfriend ? " ] Sloane felt a chill run down her spine , but she refused to back down . " Yes . What of it ? " ] She leaned in , trying to hit Nova where it hurt . " He even buys me apple pie - my favorite . We had it last night . It was so Apple pie ... It clicked . [ ] Nova's heart felt like it was being fried in oil , then stomped into the ground . [] Kael had given her the ple that he'd probably shared with Sloane first - like she was an afterthought . ] Sloane smirked , sure she'd won . But then Nova let out a cold laugh , her eyes cutting into Sloane like a knife . [ ]