Chapter 14: What if he was suffering inside?

Nova looked at Mark in disbelief, his eyes filled with hatred that hurt her deeply. "All I did was tell the truth. What, it's okay to do it but not to say it? Are they embarrassed by that too?" "Nova, what did you do to make your dad so angry this time?" Evelyn, her stepmother, was peeking from behind the door, watching everything. Seeing Nova get slapped hard brought a twisted sense of pleasure to her. Evelyn pushed the door open and walked lightly towards Mark, taking his hand and ready to stir the pot even more. She knew that the more Mark despised Nova, the smoother the path would be for her and her daughter, without any obstacles. Evelyn sighed, "We do have some money, but it can't withstand you causing trouble everywhere. Look, your dad has gotten a lot more gray hair these past two years." Nova rolled her eyes. Evelyn's pretense of understanding was just nauseating, but somehow, Mark fell for it every time. "All the money spent on me over the years, was it ever as much as what you spend on your bags?" Nova changed the topic abruptly, "My mom and dad started from scratch, I'm just claiming what's rightfully mine. Does that bother you?" "That's true, but your mom has been gone for so many years, and the household expenses are huge. You're naive, and your dad and I definitely need to focus on nurturing your sister. After all the spending, it's pretty much the same now, and the money now is all earned by your dad, it has nothing to do with your deceased mom!" "Don't talk about my mom." Nova fought the urge to rush up and pull Evelyn's hair, replying coldly, "You're not even worthy to tie her shoelaces!" "You..." Evelyn was so angered she was lost for words. She tugged on Mark's arm to have him defend her. "What kind of attitude is that? How can you speak to your stepmother like this?" Nova ignored him. Seeing Mark defend her, Evelyn's mood improved slightly. "If you need money, I can give you a few hundred dollars for now." Nova retorted with sarcasm, "You splurge thousands on a handbag, and this is what you offer me? " Mark felt his daughter was being unreasonable and just wanted to get rid of her quickly. He pulled out a stack of cash from his wallet, "Is this enough now?" With that, he flung the money into the air. Nova watched her father, both familiar and foreign, feeling utterly disheartened. "Nova, take the money and leave," Mark commanded, effectively disowning her. Having a stepmother also meant enduring a transformed father—a bitter reality Nova was now fully experiencing. But the thin veneer of paternal love no longer mattered to her. "I'm leaving, don't worry. From now on, I won't step foot in this house again. From here on out, I, Nova, am just an orphan relying on Margaret, and if anyone asks about my father, I'll tell them he's dead." Declaring this brought Nova an unexpected rush of liberation. Speaking out, it seemed, had its own thrill! Mark and Evelyn watched in shock as Nova confidently walked away, stepping over the money scattered on the floor. As she left, Nova's mind returned to her pressing concerns. How would she manage to save Tristan? Her thoughts darkened with worry. What if he was suffering inside? What if Tristan wasn't given any food? Or what if he lashed out and hit a cop? Knowing his stubborn pride, it was all too likely he might have ended up in a rough spot. The more she thought about it, the more terrified she became. But as she reached the doorstep, a burst of laughter from inside stopped her in her tracks. "Hahaha!" It was Margaret, sounding more amused than ever. Who could Margaret be laughing with? Nova wondered. "Let me tell you, Grandma. I was quite the handful as a kid—" Hold on! Nova froze, her ears not believing what they heard. Was that Tristan's voice? She quickly unlocked the door and pushed it open. There was Tristan, sitting comfortably with Margaret on the sofa, chatting away as if he'd been there all along "You..." Words failed Nova to her surprise. She dashed over and grabbed Tristan's hands, examining them closely. Not a mark on them. He was back safe and sound! A wave of relief washed over her. Seeing Nova's worried look, Tristan couldn't resist teasing, "What, you thought they sentenced me to death or something?" "I was terrified!" Nova clutched at her heart, still puzzled. "How did you get back? Did they give you a hard time?" "They did," Tristan admitted with a grimace. "Did you get hurt anywhere?" Nova's heart, which had just settled, leaped into her throat again.