Page 121 of Billion Dollar Mistake

I frown. “But you're in the middle of treatment.”

“I can’t have Nova supporting us any longer. She’s our child. I don’t want this life for her. I want her to have her own life.” There’s a bite to his words and I don’t know if it’s at me or the fact he hates Nova supporting them.

“I understand,” I reply. My brain is working overtime. My eyes drift to Nova whose flushed cheeks let me know she didn’t want me to know that certain piece of information. But I’m going to pay her rent and her parents’ mortgage. She’s going to fight me on it because that’s Nova. She’s strong and independent. But she needs to know she can still help them without sacrificing her future or anything she wants to do.

I want to help her. It will be a good way to make up for being late too.

After we leave, I’ll sort it out.

I’ll worry about how she reacts when the mortgage is already paid, and her rent is done. I’d buy that property, but I don’t want her living there forever.

No, she's my forever girl, and I want her to live with me.

“If you’re unable to go back to that job, quit, and I’ll find you a job. There are so many people I know and so many jobs within the hospitals. I can help you out.”

“Would it include all the benefits?”

“Of course. Better pay and conditions I promise you, Mr Lee.”

Her dad nods. “I’ll think about it. I can barely stay awake for 5 hours let alone 8-to-10-hour shifts.”

“You need to concentrate on treatment. Gain your strength back.” I grab my wallet and pull out a business card, sliding it across to him. He picks it up and stares at it before looking at me.

I smile. “Call me when you’re ready. I’ll look after you.”

He looks over to his wife and I see a misty look in Nova’s mom's eyes. Then I move my gaze to Nova, who’s staring at me with a glassy stare. I think that means whatever I said was right.

We eat in silence around the compact wooden table before Nova speaks.

“Do you watch football?” Nova asks me.

“A little, why?” I reply.

“My dad watches it.”

“Who do you follow?” I ask as I eat a portion of the buttery potato.

“The Eels. You?”

I want Nova's dad to like me. I don’t want to fail over football. “No specific team but maybe you could convince me to root for the Eels.”

He dips his head at me. “Good choice.”

I smile and my hand slips to Nova's knee under the table. I give it a gentle squeeze. Nova turns to me, and I wink at her.

We finish dinner and Nova stands when her mom does to start clearing the plates. I go to stand to take my plate to the dishwasher, but Nova holds out a hand to stop me.

“Stay. I’ll bring you a slice of the blueberry pie.”

“I was going to say I am full, but if there’s homemade pie, I’ll find room.”

“You won’t regret it. Mom makes the best pie.”

“Is your mom the reason you know how to cook?”

“Yeah. My mom will tell you all the stories about teaching me to cook.”

“It’s been our thing since she was a little girl,” her mom gushes.

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