All Chapters of A GIRL NAMED NOVA.: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

The morning sun barely pierced the dense curtains of the mansion when a sharp knock echoed through the halls, startling me. I had barely finished my morning chores when the front doors burst open with an authority that could shake walls.Frederick appeared from the study, his usual calm demeanor fractured for the first time that day.“I told you no one should disturb me before noon,” he muttered, already reaching for the intercom.But it was too late. A whirlwind of presence stormed through the grand foyer.“Frederick Lawson!” The voice rang with unmistakable fury. I froze mid-step as a tall, regal woman — his mother — entered, eyes blazing, hands on her hips. “How long will you refuse to honor your family? To give me grandchildren? You think I will sit quietly while you waste away in this cold, empty mansion?”Frederick’s expression hardened, his jaw tightening. “Mother… I’ve explained—”“Explained?” she interrupted, her eyes scanning the room until they landed on me. “And who is thi

***The morning sun spilled faintly through the mansion’s tall glass windows, but there was no warmth in it — not in this house. Everything about today felt cold, deliberate, and irreversible.The documents were already arranged on Frederick’s desk when I entered the study. His signature was neat, angled, and precise on every page — like the man himself.Henry stood beside him, stone-faced as ever, while two legal advisors waited silently in the background. The tension was heavy enough to make the air thick.Frederick didn’t look up immediately. He was reviewing the final clause with the same focus he might give to a billion-dollar contract.When he finally raised his eyes, I felt them — that sharp, assessing gaze that never lingered too long but always cut too deep.“Sit,” he ordered simply.I did. My hands trembled slightly, though I tried to hide it by clutching them together in my lap.He slid the top document toward me. “You’ve read it all?”“Yes, sir.”“Then sign.”My name looked

***Campus was unusually crowded that afternoon. Students lingered around the walkway, chatting loudly, enjoying the breeze. I had just stepped out of my architectural design studio, clutching my sketch portfolio to my chest, when I heard it—“Well, well… look who we have here.”My steps froze.I didn’t have to turn to know the voice.Mandy.Her heels clicked sharply as she approached, flanked by two of her friends, all of them wearing smug expressions. A small crowd slowed their pace, sensing drama.I inhaled gently and kept walking.But Mandy moved in front of me, blocking my path.Mandy: “Don’t walk away when I’m talking to you.”Me: calmly “Mandy, I don’t have time for whatever this is.”Mandy: “Oh, you’ll make time.”She looked me up and down, eyes glittering with malice.“So, tell us, Nova… how’s life as the campus princess now? Designer bag. New shoes. Drivers picking you up. Expensive tuition. Your life changed overnight. Should we clap?”Her friends giggled.A few students slo

Chaos.***The next morning at school, everything felt wrong.Fredrick had barely looked at me before leaving the mansion. Not a single glance. No morning kiss on my forehead. No warm, “Be careful, Nova.” No soft smile.Nothing.He simply walked out.And my chest had been hurting ever since.I tried to stay focused in class, tried to act normal, but my mind kept replaying his last words:“I was beginning to fall for you.”And the way his voice had cracked when he said it.That faint tremor—hurt, disappointment, betrayal.I felt like I was suffocating.After class, I stepped outside, hoping some air would calm me. But instead, I found Daniel leaning against my car like he owned it.When he saw me, he straightened and gave a nervous smile.“Nova… can we talk?”I stiffened immediately.This was the last person I needed to see.“No,” I said flatly. “Please leave me alone.”He moved closer. “Please, just a minute. I swear—”“No.” I stepped back. “Daniel, I’m already in trouble because of yo

***The bell had barely rung when I felt the familiar unease creeping through the crowded hallways of the college. My backpack felt heavier than usual, my shoulders tense. I knew he would be there. I just didn’t know how bold he would be today.And, of course, he was.Daniel. Standing near the lockers, that infuriating calm smile on his face, like nothing had ever happened. Like I didn’t already know the games he played, the manipulations he attempted.“Nova,” he called softly, his voice carrying just enough for me to hear over the din of students chatting and lockers slamming.I kept walking, trying to ignore him, but of course, he stepped right into my path.“Wait,” he said, reaching out as if to stop me, as if I could somehow be persuaded to stay.I stopped, turned slowly, my patience already fraying. “What do you want, Daniel?” My voice was steady, but I could feel the heat rising in my chest.He took a step closer, eyes fixed on mine, intensity burning. “I need to talk to you… alo