Chapter 43 The morning after

Chapter 43 The morning after
NOVA'S POV

The rays of sunlight slip through the gaps in my curtains.

My eyes burn from being open all night.

I couldn't sleep.

It felt wrong to close my eyes and find peace for even a second.

Because Sofia isn't at peace.

And I don't know if she ever will be.

She still doesn't know the truth.

That yes... it started as a dare.

But somewhere along the way it stopped being one.

She became the first person who ever made me want something beyond surviving my father's plans.

She was honest.

She never apologized for existing.

She walked through life like she belonged in it.

I wanted to learn how to do that.

My phone suddenly rings.

I freeze.

It hasn't rung once all night.

The silence hurt.

Because Sofia always called.

Randomly.

To tell me about something stupid she'd seen.

To remind me I existed.

I look at the caller ID.

Mila.

I answer before the second ring.

"Hello... is she okay?" My voice cracks. "Please tell me she's okay. I'll leave her alone if that's what she wants. I just—"

"Castiello, stop."

Her voice is exhausted.

Not angry.

Just...exhausted.

"She's alive."

I let out a shaky breath.

"But she's not stable."

Everything inside me goes still.

"The medication stopped working."

"What?"

My voice barely comes out.

"Wh...what do you mean it stopped working? When?"

A pause.

"I don't know exactly when."

Another pause.

"But she's known for a while."

The words hit harder than anything Delia could've shown me.

"S-She knew?"

"Yes."

My knees give out.

I slide down the side of my bed until I'm sitting on the floor.

"She was going to tell you."

I close my eyes.

"...after the game."

A sob catches in my throat.

"She said you worked too hard for this championship. She didn't want you worrying about her before you played."

My chest caves in.

Even now.

Even while she was getting worse.

She was protecting me.

"Shh... she still came?"

"Of course she came."

Mila's voice softens despite herself.

"She wanted to see you win."

Tears blur my vision.

I remember her smiling at me courtside.

Clapping every basket.

Drinking my water.

Looking proud.

And all that time,she knew.

She knew she was getting worse.

"Can I see her?"

Silence.

Long enough that I already know the answer.

"I'm only telling you this because it's what Sofia would've wanted."

Every word feels earned.

"But whatever happened yesterday..." her voice breaks a little.

"...it broke her."

I grip the phone tighter.

"I'm sorry."

My words sound pathetic.

Worthless even.

"I know."

Mila sighs.

"But I'm not the person you need to apologize to."

The line goes dead.

I stare at the screen.

She didn't tell me.

Not because she didn't trust me.

Because she loved me enough to put me first.

Even when I didn't deserve it.

I was so busy worrying about protecting our future.

I never noticed she was running out of time.

She told me from the start that it wasn't something someone gets used to.

I should've known she meant that her condition wasn't certain.

I sit on the cold floor until the numbness starts to feel comfortable.

Then I force myself to stand.

Slowly.

Not because I'm okay.

Because if I want any chance of seeing Sofia again... I have to become someone worthy of it.

I get in the shower letting the hot water wash off the sweat from yesterday and any traces of pride.

I don't have any left within me.

I'd beg the universe to let Sofia live I'd it meant I'd have to invisible forever.

When I'm done i move to the wide bathroom sink.

My eyes look puffier.

I chuckle bitterly.

Then do my face routine.

If dad sees me defeated then he'll enjoy this more.

I can't let him have that.

I let down my hair when I'm fully done.

Sofia likes it this way. Somehow I do too.

"Ah just the person i wanted to see." Dad says a little happier than usual when I appear in the dining room.

Mon looks over to me with a sympathetic smile.

"Goodmorning." I say softly taking my seat on the far end of the table away from them.

"The Carusos are hosting a luncheon today and you will be attending. The wedding has also been moved to an earlier date. The venue is lovely." He announces before stuffing his mouth with bacon.

How did I ever call him the best dad when I was five?

I focus on my plate but each bite tastes like metal.

My mind goes back to Sofia....I always made her eat.

Now I'm the one struggling to.

"I'll get ready and leave then." I say finally.

He looks over to me for a brief minute then continues eating.

"Your driver will drop you off. I have assigned a security detail...for your safety, ofcourse."

The last part sounds like a villain using hero language.

He's limiting my movement.

"I understand."

I focus on my plate, taking a small bite so it isn't noticeable.

I've been force fed before to maintain a healthy appearance.

"Nova, can I talk to you?"

Dad looks between us.

Is he....surprised?

Or she didn't ask him first?

"Yeah." I say simply before heading back to my room to change.

All that's left is graduation.

I did down play basketball though.

I guess part of me just wanted to see if I'd win.

If I'd get drafted without my name being the sole reason.

I could see myself doing basketball long term.

I care little about jewellery.

Even less about a legacy that benefits from me instead of me from it.

I pick out a modest white mid dress and low cut heels.

My hair falls freely.

I miss Sofia.

It kills me to not be by her side when she needs me.

I chuckle.

She hates me.

Because I chose ego over admission.

I always knew she was different.

The first time I saw her I caught myself looking twice.

I called it curiosity.

Then admiration.

Then I stopped naming it altogether.

By the time Delia mentioned the dare... I already noticed Sofia more than I should have.

I still accepted it because someone like her would've never chosen someone like me.

I return back to the lobby.

Mom is talking on the phone seriously.

I move to the window, peaking and dad's car isn't there.

Somehow that feels relieving.

I walk towards her cautiously.

The call finally ends.

"The bank? Is everything okay?" I ask and she shrugs.

She leads me to the patio away from the quiet house.

"I wanted to give you something." She starts before taking a box from her pocket.

A ring box.

"You know the marriage is arranged right?"

My tone comes off a little to blunt.

She's treating it like it's an actual thing.

Like I'm happy.

"I know. This is the first design I ever made when my parents passed their legacy over to me. And I said if I had a daughter I'd have her proposed to in it. I want you to have it."

I hesitate but take the box opening it.

I don't want to get married. Not to a man i barely know or like.

"I can't. I can't pretend that this is normal because it isn't."

She sighs.

"I love you."

She closes my fingers around the box.

"And when the time comes... don't confuse the right thing with the easy thing."

Then she gets up and walks back inside.

"Miss Castiello the driver is waiting," the guy meant to be my security says.

I get up putting the ring box in my sling back.

If didn't know her so well I'd say she's hinting at something.

Why give it to me?

Unless....

She never intended for me to wear it for the Carusos at all.