Ch15

NOVA

Now that I know that you're guilty and that you purposely recorded us, I don't feel bad for whatever it is I'm going to do.

His words hit harder than Noah's.

I stare at Enzo through the blur of my tears, my chest tightening so painfully I can barely breathe. He thinks I did it on purpose. He actually believes I recorded them because I wanted something to use against him.

"No..." I whisper, shaking my head helplessly. "Enzo, that's not..."

The front door suddenly open. There's a pause, and then I hear Aunt Joan's voice. "What on earth is going on?"

She appears, two grocery bags hanging from her hands. Her eyes travel across the room... Marcus standing protectively in front of me, Noah glaring at everyone, Enzo beside him, and me... crying so hard I can barely stay upright.

The bags slip from her fingers onto the floor. "N-Noah?" Her face hardens almost immediately. "What are you doing here?"

Nobody answers. She doesn't wait for one. Her gaze lands on my face again, taking in my swollen eyes and trembling shoulders.

"What happened?" she asks. "Why is she crying?"

Still nobody speaks. Then Noah does.

"This doesn't concern you, Aunt Joan."

"The hell it doesn't."

She walks further into the foyer, stopping directly beside me. One arm wraps around my shoulders instinctively, pulling me against her side.

The warmth almost makes me cry harder.

"You need to leave."

Noah lets out a laugh. "I'm not leaving without my sister."

"I wasn't asking."

"I'm taking Nova home."

"No." Aunt Joan's voice is calm, but there's steel underneath it. "You're leaving. Right now."

"No."

Marcus sighs quietly and I shut my eyes. Please... Please don't make this worse. Aunt Joan folds her arms.

"You have exactly five seconds to walk out of my house."

"I'm not going anywhere."

"Four."

Noah scoffs.

"Three."

"You can't stop me."

"Two."

Noah doesn't move.

Aunt Joan pulls her phone out of her handbag.

"One."

She unlocks it without hesitation. "Fine. I'll call your parents and tell them you're standing in my house refusing to leave after I told you to. I'll also let them know the way you've been speaking to your sister."

That finally gets Noah's attention. His jaw clenches. "You wouldn't."

"Oh, sweetheart." She smiles, though there's absolutely no warmth in it. "Try me."

Noah knows she's not bluffing. He clicks his tongue in annoyance. "This isn't over." He points a finger at me. "You've already destroyed enough. Don't make it worse."

He turns toward the door and Enzo does too. Before he leaves, our eyes meet. I'm sure I'm seeing different emotions but I'm not seeing sympathy.

He follows Noah out without another word. The front door slams behind them.

It starts with ragged breathes, and then the tears start flowing. My knees give the fuck out.

"Oh, sweetheart..." Aunt Joan says, rushing forward.

The sob that leaves me is ugly. Everything I've been holding together completely falls apart. I bury my face against her shoulder, crying so hard my chest hurts.

"I didn't mean to..." I choke out between sobs. "I swear I didn't... I never wanted this..."

"I know."

She rubs my back slowly.

"I know, baby."

Marcus kneels beside us, looking absolutely furious. His fists are still clenched. I don't think he's ever looked this angry. Aunt Joan looks over my head at him.

"Marcus."

He immediately looks up.

"How did Noah even know she was here?"

Marcus doesn't answer. He just looks up at Kol and Chloe and he points.

They suddenly become very interested in the floor. Aunt Joan follows his gaze and his finger.

"Tell me you didn't. How did they find out?" She shouts.

"I was just driving Chloe to get a dress..."

"A dress?" Aunt Joan says in disbelief. "A dress?"

Nobody dares answer. She pinches the bridge of her nose before letting out a slow breath.

"I told every single one of you that Nova was staying here because she needed peace. Sarah begged me not to let Noah know. And what did you do?"

Nobody looks up.

"I'm sorry, Mom," Chloe whispers.

"No."

Aunt Joan shakes her head. "Sorry doesn't fix this." Her hand stretches out. "Phones."

Their head snaps up. "What?"

"I said... phones. Now."

They reluctantly pull their phones from their pockets.

Marcus walks around collecting Chloe's phone first and then Kol's. He hands them to his mother.

She stacks them together.

"You're all grounded."

She points toward the staircase. "No phones. No television. No going out with friends. And the both of you will be helping me around this house until I decide you've earned your privileges back."

"Mom..."

"No."

Her voice leaves no room for argument.

"You broke my trust."

Aunt Joan looks down at me, still clinging to her.

Then she gently brushes the hair away from my face.

"Come on. Let's get you upstairs."