Chapter 32: Checkmate

NOVA'S POV

"Nova! Congratulations on landing such a handsome man," a person of my parents peers says and I've lost count by now. The ring was given to me the night before so it's nothing romantic.

I just need to talk to Sofia but she seems to far out of reach now. "Excuse me, i just need to talk to Sofia...her,"I say but the man in a black suit doesn't seem to burge. Sofia doesn't see me and walks away with her two friends pulling her to the open bar. It's hard to think that all I had to do before was call and she'd pick up. Now i have to explain myself to a random stranger that my intentions aren't to breach her security, just to talk. Have her look at me again.

"Nova, what a shocking yet obvious surprise," Delia says clinging to a glass of whatever mixture her friends have turned it into.

"Careful Delia, you might not get to throw that name around ever so freely, soon," I say uninterested.

"Well let's see...you're in an arranged marriage and you just found out your toy thing is four times the billionaire heir you are and you still haven't told her you only fucked her to win a dare," she chuckles. No trace of the girl that felt sorry for me earlier. Just one still trying to get her way.

"You're usually good at making me feel shitty, but tonight i might need a few more glasses to feel it, excuse me," I say walking away from her. I see my father walking towards me so I divert to the bathroom. He's gotten what he wanted. He has no right to demand more than that.

I open the tap rinsing my hands because the make up on my face makes it harder to just thrpw water on my face. A toilet flushes startling me abit. It was too quiet anyway.

"Castiello?" Her voice echoes through the empty restroom.

"Vescovi," she scrunches up her face a little at the mention of her last name.

"You've been avoiding me and....now I know why,"

"You've been hiding something and now i know what," I retort. I still have the right to be mad at her.

"I didn't mean to keep it from you but would you have been genuine if you assumed I belonged in your circle?"

I hesitate. I don't have an answer for that. I think for the most part i would have thought her to be a match against Delia.

"That's what i thought. For the most part, i don't regret that night at the hotel...or you," she says walking to the exist. I follow after her but she's blended into the crowd again with her security detail.

I find my parents already waiting near the private exit, my mother wrapped in silence while my father scrolls through his phone like he didn't just rearrange my life in front of half of Milan.

"There you are," he says, slipping the phone back into his pocket. "Fabio has been looking for you."

"Then tell Fabio to develop a hobby."

My mother exhales softly like she's already tired.

"Nova," she warns.

"No, let her speak," my father says, amused in that cold way only he can be. "Tonight is about appearances. She should practice."

I look past him toward the ballroom doors.

People are still pouring out laughing, praising the show, kissing cheeks, exchanging cards and compliments. Somewhere in that crowd is Sofia.

Untouchable again.

"You embarrassed the Carusos," he continues. "Walking off mid-announcement. Refusing photos. Vanishing when you were needed."

"I was needed?" I laugh once. "For what? To stand beside a man who thinks consent is optional?"

My mother's head snaps toward me.

My father's expression barely shifts.

"Careful."

"No, you be careful," I say, stepping closer. "You forced me into this circus. At least pick someone less disgusting."

His jaw tightens.

There he is.

The real man behind the polished smile.

"You mistake comfort for power, Nova."

"And you mistake control for love."

For a moment, neither of us speaks.

The air between us turns sharp enough to cut skin.

My mother reaches for my wrist but I pull back before she can touch me.

"You had no right to do this tonight."

"I had every right," he says evenly. "Everything you have exists because of me."

"And everything you are exists despite being a father."

My mother's gasp is immediate.

His face changes then—not loud, not dramatic.

Worse.

Calm.

"If that girl has filled your head with rebellion, I can remove the problem."

My blood runs cold.

"Sofia has nothing to do with this."

"Doesn't she?" he asks. "You've become emotional. Sloppy. Defiant."

"Leave her out of your mouth."

"Then keep her out of your life."

I hate how much he knows where to strike.

I hate more that part of me is still scared of him.

He adjusts his cufflinks like we've been discussing weather.

"The car is waiting. Smile when you walk outside."

I don't move.

He leans closer, voice low enough for only me.

"You saw her world tonight. Did you really think a Vescovi girl would choose you over what she was born into?"

The words hit harder than they should.

Because they sound like something I already feared.

He steps back.

"Come along."

My mother follows him after one helpless look in my direction.

I stay rooted to the marble floor.

Humiliated.

Angry.

And hating myself for the tears burning behind my eyes.

From across the lobby, near the shadow of a pillar, I catch a glimpse of cream satin.

Sofia.

Still there.

Still watching.

Our eyes meet for one second.

This time, something in her expression has changed.

Not softness.

Not forgiveness.

Understanding.

Then she turns and walks away.

Outside, Rafa and Delia's parents are takking to mine.

"Nova!" Rafa calls out to me, jogging towards me.

"Party at Riley's?" He asks but i know the answer is already in there.

"I can't....it's different now,"

"Please, until we graduate you're Nova Castiello! Life of the party. And also, your dad is an asshole for using you as bait," he says hugging me from the side.

I didn't want to even understand it but one look at Fabio waiting by his car erased any ounce of consideration i had for anyone.

I'm not riding with that asshole.

He helps me sneak away to where the rest of the group is. Riley hands me a champagne bottle as i get in back of her jeep, joining the rest. Each sip tastes like anger but it settles softly in my stomach. Being with her in that restroom made me realise how much I miss her. Just being around her. Sofia makes me feel like i could hope again. She looks at me like she understands me. But she doesn't and i guess i was wrong about her too.

"When's the Bachelorette party?" Riley jokes but no one laughs or teases. It's not a joke, it's my life.

I pause.

́

I bring the bottle to my mouth taking huge gulps. I never thought I'd find peace with them but right now a visit to who i was feels less permanent.