Chapter 104 She was afraid …she might soften and forgive him once more.

Nova felt a tad awkward from the compliment, her cheeks turning pink as she struggled to respond. "But Miss Blair, why is there a picture of you in my dad's study?" Ivy asked innocently. Caught off guard by the question, Nova stumbled over her words. "Well... I'm not sure, sweetie. You might want to ask your dad about that. Next time, tell him to put it away, okay?" Ivy shook her head, her lips pouting. "Mom and Dad argue about it a lot. Dad hardly comes home and Mom doesn't seem to like me. It feels like nobody wants me..." As Nova gently smoothed back Ivy's hair, she thought how much she would love to have such a well-behaved daughter. "Are you hungry, Ivy?" Ivy nodded emphatically, touching her slightly sunken belly. "Yeah, I'm hungry. I didn't eat much tonight because Mom says kids shouldn't eat too much late at night; it could upset my stomach, and too much water means too many trips to the bathroom." Such a thoughtful child, it tugged at Nova's heartstrings. Nova grabbed