Page 13 of Snow

Wallace gave a dry chuckle, while Rob looked down at his shoes, the usual smirk absent. When he finally met her eyes, something in his expression had shifted.

“Nova, we’re not here to defend Mom and Dad. We’re here because we owe you an apology.”

That stopped her. “An apology?”

Rob nodded slowly. “For not being the brothers you deserved.”

Wallace pushed off the car, stepping closer to Nova. “We should’ve seen it sooner, with how much control Mom and Dad had over your life. And how they pushed their version of the future on you without ever asking what you wanted.”

“We always thought you were fine because you never seemed bothered by it,” Rob said, his voice low, regretful. “You always appeared strong and unshakeable. But the truth is, we didn’t look closely enough. We let you carry it all alone.”

Nova’s throat tightened, but she swallowed it down. “You didn’t make them treat me like that.”

“No,” Wallace said, “but we didn’t stop it either. And that’s on us.”

They stood there in silence for a moment, the weight of years unspoken between them.

“We’re proud of you,” Rob said finally. “For walking into that house today and not giving a damn about expectations. For standing your ground. It took guts.”

“And Rick?” Wallace added, his jaw tightening. “What he did is unforgivable, and we’re pissed. And not just at him, but at how hard Dad pushed you two together.”

Nova looked at Rob. “Sophia told me about you overhearing Mom and Rick’s mom talking about a wedding.”

Rob nodded. “Like I told Sophia, I don’t know whose wedding they were discussing. I just assumed they were talking about you and Rick.”

“I won’t marry him,” she said firmly.

“And you shouldn’t,” Wallace said. “However, I have a strong feeling that Dad isn’t going to let you off the hook so easily, especially if there is something in it for him.”

“You think there’s some sort of kickback for Dad if I marry Rick?” she asked.

“Dad doesn’t do anything unless it benefits him.”

Rob spoke up. “Listen, let Wallace and me do a little bit of digging.”

“You’re being serious? You actually want to help me?”

“Dead serious. As we said, we should have been there for you when we saw all this happening.”

Nova stared at them, unsure whether to be angry, grateful, or just stunned. These were the same brothers who used to tease her about not messing up the family name, and now they were standing here owning their part in her pain.

Rob pulled her into a hug. “I know you have to work with Dad and Rick, but try not to engage with them if you don’t have to. At least until we can find out what the motive is behind the rush to marry you off.”

Wallace followed, his hug just as firm. “And if they come at you again, you won’t face it alone.”

She pulled back, still in shock, and gave them a small smile.

“Thank you.”

“You’d better get going before Mom and Dad come looking to see if you actually left,” Wallace told her.

“We’ll give you a call if we find out anything. Plus, maybe you can start coming over to our Sunday dinners at our place.”

“Wait, you guys have Sunday dinners and never invited me?”

Rob looked guilty. “Sorry. Mom and Dad don’t know about them either.”

Nova understood, and while it did sting a little, she wouldn’t hold a grudge.