All Chapters of The Star-Crossed Mistakes: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

“Perhaps, I might even find it in my heart to be merciful and allow you to come back home, my dear… little sister.”Home. It felt like I had lost my home a long time ago, especially after that one thoughtless answer.I used to have a happy family, too. I had a mother who loved me, a kind and gentle stepfather, and an older stepbrother who would literally give me the stars if I asked.On my third birthday, the whole family gathered to celebrate. My aunt held up a toy she bought for me and jokingly asked, “You’re so beautiful, little Nova. Who are you going to marry when you grow up?”Young and naive, I pointed my chubby little finger at Christian, who was standing right next to me.“I’m going to marry Chris.”The entire family burst into laughter, and Christian laughed, too. They all said how wonderful that would be and told me that when I grew up, I absolutely had to marry someone who would dote on me just as much as Christian did.When I was eight years old, I was watching a dr

I received a complaint and a one-star review.It was from Christian. He was using such a childish tactic just to force an apology out of me. He wanted to force me to admit the severe consequences I had to face for abandoning him back then. However, I had only loved him passionately, like the sun loved the stars. Could that really be considered a mistake?“No, Nova, you didn’t do anything wrong,” I comforted myself, completely in denial. “The only mistake is that the sun and the stars belong to day and night. They are destined to never be together.”… I had no idea why Christian’s father committed suicide, nor did I understand why Christian claimed that I was the one who killed him. Even when it came to leaving the country, my mother had suddenly approached me back then, claiming something terrible had happened at home and urging me to catch the next flight out of the country.I didn’t want to leave at first, but she told me Christian had been sent abroad and that I should see him

Back when I first went overseas, before my phone was stolen, I tried calling every single relative I could think of. Almost all of them hung up the moment they saw me calling. The only person who actually answered was my Aunt Sarah, the one who had doted on me the most since I was a child.“Nova, it’s probably for the best that you’re abroad. Your stepfather made a massive mistake. He’s since taken his own life, and the house has been seized.”Before I could even process the words, she continued, “Your mother and Christian have been taken in by the police for questioning. Listen to me, Nova. Throw that SIM card away, and just try to build a life for yourself over there.”Before I could make sense of anything, a guy snatched the phone right out of my hand. I chased him for blocks as that phone was the only valuable thing I owned. However, in my hysterical, broken state, how was I supposed to outrun a seasoned snatch thief? That was how my four years of bitter, grinding poverty bega

“Hey, kiddo. Are you sure about this? Farming is backbreaking work,” Mr. Miller said, looking at me skeptically.I nodded, my smile firm and determined. “I’m not afraid of hard work, sir.”Right then and there, I handed over a full year’s worth of rent. The only condition was that the lease wouldn’t officially start until my leg was healed. Mr. Miller couldn’t argue with my persistence, so he finally accepted the money. He even offered to help me source some seeds and baby chicks to get me started.Three months later, my leg injury had fully healed. From that point on, my days became busy and fulfilling. Every morning, I woke up before dawn to weed the orchard. Although I still couldn’t manage heavy labor, simple chores were no problem at all.The people in this small town were incredibly kind. Seeing that I was an outsider struggling to make it on my own, they often dropped by to lend a hand. Mrs. Davis brought me a whole basket of fresh eggs, and Mr. Miller helped me till two acr

I sobbed uncontrollably as years of pent-up grievances, agonizing longing, and tangled love and hatred finally poured out in a torrent of scalding tears. Viv didn’t say another word. She just sat quietly by my side, keeping me company.As the sun began to set, it cast a golden hue across the small creek, making the water shimmer. In the distance, smoke drifted from chimneys, and the faint sounds of farm animals came from the town. Everything about the countryside felt peaceful and beautiful. However, my mind was a chaotic mess.“Nova, I can tell you’re not the person they say you are,” Viv said. “Because I know Christian. He wouldn’t fall in love with the wrong person. Can you tell me what you went through back then?”This was the very first time I had ever spoken to anyone about my four years abroad. When I initially ran into Christian, I didn’t say anything because he never gave me the chance. Later on, I kept quiet because it felt pointless. But now, the truths buried deep within