38

Nova's POV

Jessica's smug expression vanished in an instant. Emily lowered her head, while Diego's father squinted, looking displeased as Marian began to intervene.

Marian continued.

"I don't care who you defend or who you think deserves to be at this table. The fact remains that Nova is Diego's rightful wife. She is not a servant, not an outsider whom you can belittle at will."

Her words echoed in the room, and I was taken aback by her bravery. Even though I felt undeserving of such defense, there was something warming my heart. In that moment, I felt genuine support, even as the situation grew tense.

Jessica looked stunned, and although Diego's father didn’t say a word, his gaze showed discontent. Meanwhile, Emily remained silent, as if contemplating Marian's words.

I looked at Marian, silently thanking her for her courage. Perhaps, in this family dynamic, I didn’t have to feel alienated. With support from people like Marian, maybe I could find a way to assert my place here, even if the path ahead was still long.

Marian turned to Jessica, her expression unchanged.

"And you, Jessica. It seems you've forgotten your place. If you think you're better than Nova, you should show a more mature attitude, not conspire with a child to humiliate someone in front of many people."

Jessica looked pale, her lips trembling as if she wanted to defend herself, but Marian didn't give her a chance. The atmosphere at the table grew more tense, all eyes fixed on them. Jessica looked trapped, unsure of what to say.

Marian continued.

"We all have a responsibility to respect each other. This isn't just about power or position, but about how we treat one another."

I could feel the energy in her words, and although I felt awkward, I also felt inspired. In this moment, Marian displayed incredible courage, and I hoped her support could change the dynamics among us.

Jessica finally looked down, her face flushed. Although she didn’t speak, her expression said it all—shame, anger, and perhaps a hint of regret.

"And you," Marian directed her gaze at Diego's father. "As an Alpha, you should be setting a good example, not defending wrongs just because of blood ties."

The room fell silent again. Even breaths sounded so loud. Diego's father stared at Marian with an unreadable expression, but he did not argue.

Everyone seemed to hold their breath, waiting for a response from the Alpha. I could feel the pressure of tension, as if each passing second was a test for everyone present.

Marian, with her bravery, had challenged the power structure at this table, and while I felt shaken under the pressure, I also felt hope. Perhaps it was time to change how we interacted with one another.

Marian then turned to me, her voice softer now, yet still firm.

"Nova, you don’t have to lower your head. You are here not out of pity, but because of your destiny. And no one at this table can change that."

I felt my throat dry, unsure of what to say. Her words touched the core of my feelings, and although I wanted to respond or thank her, the words were stuck in my throat.

The entire room felt still, and I could sense a heavy burden lifting little by little. There was something relieving in that acknowledgment—like I was finally allowed to be here, to take my rightful place.

Jessica remained silent, perhaps feeling cornered by the situation, while Diego's father seemed to be contemplating his position and responsibilities.

With all eyes on me, I lifted my head and looked at Marian with gratitude.

"Thank you," I said softly, although the voice was barely audible. Perhaps, this was the beginning of the change I sought—not just for myself, but for the whole family.

Marian then picked up her spoon again and calmly said, "Now, if you’re all done with this silly game, we can return to eating peacefully. I don’t want to hear any more useless chatter."

No one dared to respond.

One by one, people at the table began to eat again in silence, but the atmosphere had changed. This time, there were no more mocking laughs. The tension that had hung in the air now felt lighter, though there was still some awkwardness.

I tried to focus on my food, feeling as if each bite was a step toward healing. This moment, though not ideal, gave me hope that maybe we could build better relationships in the future.

Marian, with her bravery, had changed the direction of the conversation and taught us all an important lesson about respect and understanding. Perhaps, with time, we could learn to support and appreciate each other, no matter how complicated the situations we faced.

Diego had just stared at everyone at the table with a cold expression when Marian's voice was heard again, soft yet authoritative. "Diego, sit down and eat. Don’t make the atmosphere worse," she said, taking her teacup and sipping it calmly, as if all the tension that had just occurred didn’t affect her at all.

Diego did not respond immediately. I could feel his body tense beside me, and when I glanced at him, his expression hardened. It was as if an internal struggle was happening within him, torn between respect for his mother and the anger he might feel about this situation.

The atmosphere fell silent again, and I felt awkward, unsure of what to do. I wanted to support Diego, but I also didn’t want to worsen the situation.

"I'm not hungry," he replied flatly. "And I won't let Nova stay here any longer."

I was shocked when he suddenly grabbed my hand tightly, without warning. Before I could react or protest, he had pulled me up easily.

"Diego—"

I tried to pull my hand away, but his grip was too strong.

"I'm taking Nova out of here," he said firmly. His gaze swept the room, challenging anyone who dared to stop him.

But no one moved. Not Marian, not his father, not Jessica, not Emily. Everyone remained silent, allowing Diego to do as he pleased.