Page 7 of Snow

Piper flinched, her grip tightening on the sheet as color flooded her face. She opened her mouth like she might argue, but whatever she had been about to say died when Rick shot her a glare.

Nova turned to leave but stopped and threw one last grenade over her shoulder at Rick.

“If you’re smart, I wouldn’t show your face at my parents’ house today.”

Rick’s face drained of color. He looked like he might puke right there. Then, without another word, Nova spun on her heel and strode toward the front door, only stopping to pick up the envelope she had dropped.

As she reached for the doorknob, Rick ran from the bedroom and grabbed her arm.

“Nova, please!” he pleaded with desperation etched into his face. “Don’t do this. We can work it out—”

Nova was done. She was so pissed off. Without thinking, she twisted her body, brought up her fist, and punched him in the nose with a satisfying crack.

Rick howled in pain as he clutched his face. “You broke my fucking nose!” he whined.

Nova smirked coldly as the adrenaline flowed through her.

“Good,” she said sweetly. “Consider it a parting gift.”

Without another word, she yanked the door open and slammed it behind her. The echo ricocheted off the sleek walls as if mocking the pristine life she’d been forced into.

She could hear Rick’s frantic shouting fading behind her as she stormed down the hall toward the elevator.

Thankfully, she didn’t have to wait long before the elevator dinged. She stepped inside, and as soon as the doors closed, she sagged against the wall. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest, but this time it wasn’t just from anger. It was betrayal.

The image of him tangled up with another woman was so disgusting. But instead of tears, all she saw was clarity. Rick had his faults, but seeing it laid bare like that had ripped away the last veil of denial she had been holding onto. As much as it stung, she was actually glad to have caught him in the act. It was better to have it ripped away than to keep living in the lie.

She refused to give him the satisfaction of breaking her. She vowed that she would not shed one goddamn tear over him.

But if he thought he could betray her and get away with it? He was about to learn just how wrong he was.

CHAPTER FOUR

Nova maneuvered her red Chevy Blazer through the winding roads of her parents’ gated neighborhood.

“Rick cheated on you?” Sophia practically yelled through the phone.

“I’m telling you, Soph, I opened the door, and there they were going at it like bunnies,” she said, scrunching up her nose in disgust and wishing she could unsee all that.

“I hate to say this, but it looks like the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, considering his dad has a mistress.” Sophia paused, and when she spoke again, her voice was softer. “Seriously, Nova. Are you okay?”

“I know that I should be upset. I mean, we were together for two and a half years. But honestly, I feel more relieved. Though that doesn’t mean that I’m not pissed off, because I am. If he was unhappy, he could have had the decency to end things between us before bedding Piper.” She took a deep breath. “This might sound weird, but this was the shove I needed, considering I’ve been thinking about making some changes.”

“What kind of changes?” Sophia asked, sounding curious.

“I’m seriously thinking about leaving the firm and moving out East. Possibly closer to you.” Nova admitted.

There was a moment of silence before Sophia shouted, “Seriously?”

“Yeah,” Nova said, and then started telling her sister about her dream to open a gym.

“I also have a few old college contacts in D.C. So, if I need to continue law for a while, I’m sure I can find something. But honestly? It’s time. I’ve spent so long trying to please everyone but myself.”

“I love that you’re finally thinking for yourself,” Sophia said, her voice warm with pride. “You’ve always been strong, Nova. You just forgot it somewhere along the way. And as for mom and dad, well, you don’t owe them your happiness.”

“Thanks, Soph. Really.” Nova blinked a few times to keep her tears at bay.

“There’s something else I wanted to talk to you about. But now with you calling it quits with Rick, I don’t know if it’s really important now.” Sophia said.