Chapter 110: Complicated Family

Chapter 110: 110: Complicated Family

Evening fell, casting long, creeping shadows across Nova’s newly remodeled bedroom. The sickeningly pink decor had been entirely eradicated, replaced according to her precise preferences. Everything from the heavy silk curtains to the plush duvet covers was now draped in midnight black. The room had transformed from a childish fantasy into a sleek, elegant abyss.

With a flick of her wrist, her sleek black laptop materialized in her hands. She opened it, her fingers dancing effortlessly across the keyboard in a rapid blur. Within seconds, she bypassed the heavy encryption of Cassian’s mansion and hacked directly into his private living room CCTV.

The live feed filled her screen. Cassian was slouched in his armchair, a suffocating aura of cold ruthlessness rolling off his broad shoulders. A lavish dinner sat completely untouched on the glass table before him. He pulled a laptop onto his lap, his jaw clenched tightly as he attempted to drown himself in work.

Nova let out a soft, amused chuckle. She picked up her phone and dialed his private number.

Through the monitor, she watched his reaction. The moment the caller ID flashed across his phone screen, the freezing hostility in his expression shattered, replaced instantly by a devastatingly warm smile.

He answered the call without a second of hesitation, his fingers still tracing idly over his keyboard. "Darling!" his deep voice rang out through the receiver.

"Miss me?" Nova teased, a playful smirk curving her lips as she watched him on the screen.

"I missed you to death," Cassian replied, his voice dropping into a low, possessive murmur. He paused for a fraction of a second. "I am coming over there tomorrow."

Nova smiled, reclining against her pillows. "Do not come just yet. Besides, I believe you have an empire to run tomorrow."

"You matter infinitely more than the company," Cassian retorted. "I am not used to sleeping in this massive house without you."

Nova chuckled out loud, the sound melodic and sweet. "You should eat something, sweetheart."

On the screen, Cassian froze. He slowly lowered his laptop to the table and stared at the untouched bowl of food. He picked it up with one hand, a curious glint in his eye as he brought a spoonful to his lips. "And how exactly do you know I haven’t eaten?"

Nova’s smile widened into a wicked grin. "Take a wild guess. I’m looking right at you."

Cassian paused, the spoon hovering near his mouth. He slowly tilted his head back, his beautiful eyes locking directly onto the crystal chandelier above him, where a microscopic camera was hidden. He smiled beautifully right into the lens.

"You are so such a sweet wife, darling," he chuckled, finally taking a bite of his food. He chewed slowly before sighing. "But the food is completely tasteless without you here to share it." He set the bowl back down on the table.

"That simply won’t do. You need to eat properly and keep your strength up," Nova reprimanded softly, feigning a pout. "What am I supposed to do if I come back and you’ve become thin?"

"If you let me come over, I will eat every last bite," Cassian bargained shamelessly.

Nova smirked. "You will definitely mess things up for me here if you come, I would rather come to you."

Cassian’s eyes lit up with immediate excitement. "Really? You’re coming back?"

"Mhm," Nova hummed softly. "What about Alan? Where is he?"

"Sulking in his room. He’s just as depressed as I am. We both miss you terribly," Cassian replied.

Nova chuckled. "I’ll give him a call next, then. Make sure you finish your dinner, okay?"

"I always listen to my darling," Cassian promised smoothly.

Nova disconnected the line and immediately dialed Alan. The call connected before the first ring even finished—he had clearly been staring at his screen, waiting for her.

"Snow! Why did you abandon me?!" Alan’s dramatic, fake cries echoed through the speaker. "I was even trying to hack your GPS signal, but I couldn’t get a lock on your location! It’s so cold and lonely without you!"

Nova laughed softly, her tone shifting to that of a doting mother. "I could never abandon my baby. How could I ever have the heart to leave you behind?" she cooed. "I am just out handling some important business. We will reunite very soon."

"But I can’t even track your location," Alan whined, frustrated by his own technical failure against her superior firewalls.

"Mhm... you will be able to track it soon enough. But you are not allowed to come over here, understand?" Nova warned gently.

"But why? I can just sneak in! No one will ever know I’m there. I promise I’ll be like a ghost!" Alan pleaded.

Nova laughed again, a light, airy sound. "Listen to me, baby. I will come over to you. I promise."

Alan sighed in defeat, though his mood instantly lifted. "Alright. Then I’ll be waiting for you right here."

"Go to sleep early, baby," Nova murmured. They chatted affectionately for a few more minutes before she ended the call.

She quickly checked Raymond’s schedule through a synchronized app. Seeing that he was locked in a high-level executive meeting, she typed out a sweet message for him to wake up to, hit send, and tossed her phone aside.

Glancing back at the laptop screen, she saw Cassian had indeed finished his entire meal. She chuckled softly, preparing to close the feed when a timid knock echoed from her bedroom door.

"Sis... sister? Dinner is ready," Susan’s trembling, nervous voice called out from the hallway.

Nova stared at the closed door. The playful warmth in her eyes evaporated instantly, replaced by a chilling, abyssal void. She snapped the laptop shut and slipped gracefully off the bed. Grabbing her medical mask, she secured it over the lower half of her face and pulled the door open.

Susan stood outside, her head bowed so low her chin nearly touched her chest. She didn’t dare look into Nova’s eyes, her body trembling faintly.

"Lead the way," Nova commanded, her voice sharp and devoid of emotion.

Susan flinched and immediately scurried down the hall, leading Nova to the grand dining room.

The entire Darson family was already seated at the massive mahogany table, waiting in silence. The moment Nova entered, Mrs. Darson stood up with a radiant, welcoming smile and gently guided Nova to the empty chair directly beside hers.

"Did you have a nice rest, my sweet girl?" Mrs. Darson asked, her eyes brimming with genuine affection.

Nova nodded meekly, forcing her eyes to crinkle in a convincing, happy smile.

From across the table, Corinthian leaned forward, flashing Nova a brilliant, disarming smile. "Little sister, you are completely safe with us here. We are your family now. You really don’t have to hide behind that mask in your own home. And don’t worry—if anyone dares to bully you out there, you just tell your big brother. I will personally destroy them for you."

Nova stared at him. Her visible eyes remained soft and touched by his words, but hidden beneath the surface was a deadly, psychopathic intent that Corinthian was far too blind to perceive.

Slowly, Nova nodded. Her slender fingers reached up and pulled the mask away, revealing her breathtaking face. She offered him an achingly innocent, fragile smile. "Thank you, brother," she whispered, her voice low and intoxicatingly melodic.

Corinthian froze. He stared at her, entirely captivated. The silver spoon in his hand slipped, clattering loudly against his porcelain plate. His heart hammered violently against his ribs, and he swallowed hard, a sudden uncontrollable wave of lust crashing through his veins.

"Y-you’re welcome," Corinthian stuttered, his charming facade cracking as a dark flush crept up his neck.

Sitting directly beside him, David felt the exact same twisted desire clawing at his chest. But when he noticed Corinthian staring at their ’sister’ without blinking, a fierce wave of territorial jealousy surged through him. David’s hand dropped beneath the table, clenching into a white-knuckled fist.

"It couldn’t be that he has the same feelings I have for Jennifer too, could he?" David thought, his blood boiling. Forcing his expression into a calm mask, he kicked Corinthian sharply under the table.

"Let’s eat," David stated coldly.

Corinthian jolted, snapping out of his depraved daze. Panic spiked in his chest as he immediately shot a glance at his mother, praying she hadn’t noticed his inappropriate reaction. But Mrs. Darson was too busy doting on Nova, piling expensive delicacies onto her plate. He then glanced at Susan, but his younger sister was staring rigidly at her own lap, too paralyzed by fear to even breathe loudly.

Corinthian silently exhaled a heavy sigh of relief. He thought he was completely in the clear—until his gaze drifted to the head of the table.

Mr. Darson was staring dead at him. The older man’s eyes were narrowed into terrifying slits, burning with a dark, unmistakable warning that sent a violent chill straight down Corinthian’s spine.