Part 2: Chapter 20

Arya

Nova’s call the other day was to reach out to me and ask me to join her and the other two Volkova ladies for a weekend away before her birthday and wedding. I said yes in the hopes of making me forget about everything going on, yet as I sat in the SUV on the way to the cabin, the space between the silence was stifling.

Something felt off, and the conversation was extremely forced. Even Nova didn’t talk as much as she usually does. I wonder if I should ask Nova about it; would she know? Ah, maybe I’m just imagining things!

After packing, I inhale to calm my heart before setting off for Nova’s room. She’s the only one I would call a friend right now, and I need to talk to someone before I scream. Breathing out, I knock on the bedroom door and crack it open a little bit. Nova smiles when she sees me and beckons me over.

“Settling in?” She asks, closing the drawers and looking my way.

“I am, or rather I’m trying to. Thank you for including me in this,” I ask as my eyes involuntarily