Chapter 112: Do you want to marry her?

Chapter 112: 112: Do you want to marry her?

The next morning, having finished her bath and dressed for the day, Nova descended the stairs into the living room. The family was already seated, immersed in what appeared to be a lighthearted conversation.

"Good... good morning," she greeted softly, offering them a beautifully harmless smile.

"Aw, my dearest daughter is awake!" Mrs. Darson exclaimed. She immediately stood, crossed the room, and gently guided Nova to a seat. "Did you sleep well?" she asked, beaming brightly.

Nova nodded. "Thank you, I slept very well."

Mr. Darson openly stared at her. Nova wore a beautifully fitted short black skirt, a matching top, and a sleek jacket. With her radiant skin and her dark hair cascading freely down her back, she looked ethereal— like a fairy. He gulped heavily, a broad, overly brilliant smile stretching across his face. "I’m glad you slept well. I was worried you wouldn’t get used to living here," he said.

Nova lowered her head slightly, allowing her long, smooth hair to fall forward, perfectly concealing the murderous smile playing on her lips. Across the room, Corinthian and David were both fixated on her, each lost in his own twisted fantasy.

Mrs. Darson chuckled, affectionately tucking a stray lock of hair behind Nova’s ear and pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "My beautiful daughter is so cute."

Watching Nova play the role of the innocent girl so flawlessly sent a shiver down Susan’s spine, even she was almost convinced. Yet, her heart pounded with unease. The calmer and sweeter Nova appeared, the more Susan sensed an impending, ruinous danger radiating from her. Forcing a smile, Susan looked at her.

"Sister, life at the orphanage must have been quite difficult, but it doesn’t seem to have treated you too unfairly. Did you make many friends there?" she asked, fighting to keep her trembling voice steady.

Nova slowly raised her head, her gaze locking onto Susan. "Does Sister want to play?" she asked. Her tone was light and airy, but the underlying threat in her words was unmistakable.

Susan nearly sank into the cushions of the couch. "I was just trying to smooth things over. Did I say something wrong? She’s obviously threatening me," she thought in a panic, hastily shaking her head. "I... I—"

Before she could finish, a sharp knock at the front door shattered the tension, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.

"I’ll get it," David said. He walked to the entryway and pulled the door open, only to freeze in stunned silence.

Nova glanced toward the entrance. Seeing who stood there, she exhaled a silent sigh of defeat, utterly speechless, and discreetly rubbed her glabella.

Standing on the threshold was Alan. Despite his innocent-looking face, he was dressed in loose black jeans, a black tank top, and a heavy black leather jacket—a striking, almost deliberate match to Nova’s own attire. A school bag was slung casually over his shoulder, but the dark, hostile glare he fixed on David was anything but innocent.

"Hello. I’m looking for Snow," Alan stated flatly.

David stared at him, bewildered. "You have the wrong house. There’s no one named Snow here," he replied, moving to shut the door.

Without warning, Alan slipped smoothly past him and stepped inside.

"Hey!" David shouted, pointing an accusatory finger at Alan

Alan ignored him, his sharp gaze scanning the room until it landed on Nova. "Snow," he called out happily. He remained firmly in place, waiting calmly for her to acknowledge him.

"And you are...?" Mrs. Darson asked, eyeing Alan with confusion.

Nova smiled, stood up gracefully, and walked over to Alan, seamlessly interlocking her fingers with his. "My husband," she replied, her expression the picture of innocence.

Alan giggled, a faint blush creeping up his neck as he tightened his grip on her hand. "She isn’t angry that I’m here. My Snow is the best," he thought.

"Your husband?!" The collective shock echoed through the room as all eyes snapped to Alan.

Corinthian and David exchanged dark, furious glances, their fists clenching at their sides as their faces burned with sudden, jealous rage. Mr. Darson narrowed his eyes, raking a calculating, icy stare over Alan.

Susan sat frozen. "This man is her husband? Did she divorce the one I saw that day?" she wondered, entirely unsure of how to react to the shifting dynamics.

Mrs. Darson looked at Alan, noting the lovesick, boyish smile he directed at Nova, and her knitted brows slowly relaxed. "Is this the man from the arranged marriage her adoptive parents forced on her?" she wondered. "No, the reports said she ran away to marry someone else to escape it. Is this him?"

She offered a tentative smile. "Darling daughter, do you... actually like him? Or did you just marry him to escape the arranged marriage your adoptive parents set up for you? If you don’t like him, I will arrange your divorce right now."

"Yes, little sister, you should divorce him immediately," David interjected, stalking back to his chair beside Corinthian.

Alan’s brows knitted together. He could instantly sense something twisted about the two brothers. His piercing gaze darted between them, easily detecting the raw, undisguised lust in their eyes.

"What the fuck," he muttered under his breath, shooting them a glare so deadly and chilling that both brothers immediately looked away.

Nova maintained her harmless smile. "The original Jennifer didn’t actually get married, it was just a cover-up to escape that rubbish arrangement. But this is fine. It works to my advantage," she thought.

"I love him," her soft voice echoed in the quiet room.

"You can’t love him, Jenifer!" Corinthian snapped, his patience shattering as he abruptly shot to his feet.

Nova feigned a perfectly confused expression, blinking innocently up at him.

"What is your problem?!" Mrs. Darson demanded, glaring at her son. "Why are you shouting?"

Realizing the entire room was staring at him, Corinthian offered an awkward, strained smile and slowly sat back down, nervously wiping his sweating palms on his thighs. "I just mean... this guy looks like a gangster. Maybe our little sister is being threatened by him," he deflected.

Nova glanced at Alan. "How does he look like a gangster?" she wondered, stifling another sigh. "He is not a gangster," she stated clearly.

"I think you need to get your eyes checked, brother. He doesn’t look like a gangster at all," Susan muttered, shooting Corinthian a strange, suspicious look.

"Shut up," Corinthian hissed under his breath. He turned back to Nova, forcing a gentle, entirely unconvincing smile. "Little sister, this man doesn’t deserve you. You are the princess of our family. If you want to marry, your brothers will find someone suitable for you."

"I love him," Nova repeated, her gaze hardening just a fraction. She was growing visibly annoyed, the innocent ’Jenifer’ persona threatening to slip.

"Little sister, listen to me—"

Before Corinthian could finish, Mrs. Darson cut him off with a fiercely displeased glare.

"Your sister just said she loves him. Why exactly are you so strongly opposed to them being together?" she demanded, her voice dropping to a dangerously sharp cold. "Do you want to marry her?"