Page 325 of Hateful Games

“I managed to escape tonight. I can’t bear the thought of you alone and wallowing in sorrow.”

His indifference cracks for a second before it vanishes as his gaze roams over me. “You sure know how to weave a tale, not that I should be surprised. My life, with which you’ve played games, isn’t one of your make-believe stories. There are real consequences. I don’t believe a word coming out of your lying mouth. You Kapoor women are all the same. Only know how to cheat, lie, and break hearts.”

He might as well have stomped all over me. My spirit breaks at his cruel taunts but I don’t let it deter me from pressing against him. My tone is low and pleading as I speak. “I lied, Nova. I love you so much. I’ve never stopped. You were willing to believe me then, don’t turn your back on me now. I beg you. Don’t you see I’m trying to protect you?”

“You had your chance,” he replies in a detached tone, his gaze a bottomless pit of void. “I’m not falling for your tears or your lies. Even if what all you said is true, you still went behind my back and chose your scum father over me. After I told you what sins he’s committed against me, you picked him. I can never forgive you for that.”

“Don’t say that.” I twist my fingers into his shirt, hanging onto him like he is my lifeline. He remains stoic.

“I won’t feel so guilty for tomorrow now,” he says, ignoring my words. A familiar vindictive streak darkens his pupils. In a low tone laced with an edge, he taunts, “You never asked me about the woman my father loved. Were you never curious to know who destroyed my parents’ marriage?”

The temperature drops as tension mounts. I lick my suddenly dry lips, unable to comprehend the look on his face as if he’s about to shatter my world. The foundation of my life.

Is she someone I know?

My brain comes up short, scrambling for a name and how it affects me.

Nova tilts his head and crushes the cigarette under his boot. “I can hear the wheels turning in your head. How about I save you time and let misery be your friend, hmm?”

“Who is she?”

“Lily Kapoor.”

I stagger back, shaking my head. “No.”

“Your mother is my father’s mistress.”

“You’re lying, trying to hurt me like I hurt you.”

“Remember when I said there’s no cutting ties with the past? Lily and my father made sure of that with Jasmine.” He delivers the blow without a care. “She is my half-sister. It’s why you were chosen over her.”

I hastily push the tear that escapes past the burning in my eyes. Hating the way I tremble. It couldn’t possibly be true. “My mom would never cheat.”

“Secrets hurt bad, don’t they?” A taunt and a step forward. “Especially when you never see them coming.” Another step until my back crowds against the wall. “How does it feel knowing your mother sacrificed you to keep her side piece close? The yacht you had so muh fun on, guess who my father bought it for?” His palms cage me in on either side of my head and he leans down to whisper, “Still love me knowing I kept this secret from you for months and had no intention of ever confessing it?”

Searching his face for tells or lies, I find none.

Devastation makes home in my bones.

I’m about to tell him that nothing could stop me from loving him when his earlier word registers in my frazzled mind. “What did you mean by tomorrow?”

“The world will know your mom’s dirty little secret and that Jasmine is her bastard child. One that is bound to ruin your father’s impeccable reputation he so prides himself on,” he states, no remorse in his voice. “As for his threats, he shouldn’t have waited. I found the drive you put in my desktop. Took me awhile to figure it out, but I did. Your father doesn’t have access anymore. He can’t come after me or my father. I’m sure you’ll let him know once you leave.”

He straightens, about to turn, but I catch his arm. “Don’t do this, Nova. Jasmine doesn’t know, it’ll destroy her. Don’t punish her for my crimes. Please.”

“Go away before I kick you out.”

“If you ever loved me,” I say and he pauses, lifting his unsympathetic stare to mine. “Then give me one day to prove to you I’m not lying about my uncle. One chance, Nova. That’s all I’m begging for.”

“You’re embarrassing yourself, Rosalie.”

His callous mocking slaps me in the face. I’m unable to move. This is the ruthless and spiteful side of Nova I never witnessed. The cold-blooded man people dare not to cross as they quake in his wrath.

Never thought I’d be on the opposite side of him, feeling his intensity and power.

Leaving me standing, he turns and goes to the kitchen. I hear the sound of him popping open another bottle. I forget the ugly secrets we’ve both kept from each other, used against one other, and remember why I was here in the first place.

Maybe I am pathetic, after all.

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