48

Nova’s POV

Uncertainty haunted my mind. How would Marian react? Would there be anger, or perhaps a deeper disappointment? And what about Diego’s father? He would surely use all the information he had to fight us, exploiting every weakness he could find.

But one thing I knew for sure, I was no longer running. No longer fleeing from the truth or what I had discovered. Maybe everyone in this world would reject my existence, but I would stand my ground. In a world full of darkness, I had to be my own light.

That strength began to grow within me. I felt a newfound courage. Perhaps beside Diego, I would find the answers—answers about who I truly was and why this was all happening. He was my protector, and now, we were an inseparable team.

As we approached the castle gates, a mix of anxiety and bravery swirled in my heart. This was a turning point, where all decisions and secrets would be revealed. With a deep breath, I looked at Diego, and he met my gaze with confidence.

***

Diego slammed the door shut as we returned to his room. The creaking wood startled me slightly, and I knew this would be a long… and possibly painful conversation.

“Do you have any idea how crazy your actions were?!” his voice exploded, his eyes shining sharply. “You could have died, Nova! Scarlet Ridge is not a place for—”

“I know!” I cut him off, louder than I intended. Anger and frustration mingled in my voice. “But I can’t keep hiding! I need to know what’s really happening!”

Diego sighed, trying to calm himself. “But there are other ways. We can gather information without taking risks like that. I don’t want to lose you.”

His words touched my heart, even though my anger still burned. “You don’t understand! I’ve felt like a stranger in this place. I have to fight to find out who I am, even if it means facing danger.”

Diego fell silent, a bit taken aback, perhaps.

But I continued, my tone now calmer. “I know… it’s foolish. But I need answers. I feel like a pawn in this big game. Everyone is keeping secrets, everyone expects me to stay silent, to obey, and just… be a symbol.”

Diego’s face hardened. He stepped toward me, but I didn’t back down. “Do you think I don’t feel that way too?” he said coldly. “Do you think I enjoy any of this? Being judged, hated, forced to lead just because I’m the Alpha’s son, and now made worse because I married you?”

His words hit me like a slap. I could see the heavy burden he carried. The pain and injustice were evident in his eyes. “I don’t want to be a symbol, Diego. I want to be myself.”

He paused for a moment, observing my reaction. “But how? We’re trapped in this game. Every step we take is watched, and every decision could be fatal.”

I knew he was right. However, I felt we couldn’t remain trapped in this fear. “We need to find a way to change the game. If we work together, we can do it.”

Diego sighed, his expression softening a little. “We have to be careful. Every step we take must be well thought out. Our families won’t hesitate to take action if they feel threatened.”

My heart ached. But I held it back. “Then why do you still want me to go?” I asked softly. “Am I making this worse for you?”

Diego averted his gaze. For the first time, he seemed… hesitant. Vulnerable, even. “Because I’m afraid,” he whispered. “That they will hurt you… because of me.”

My heart sank. I had never imagined he would say that. Not Diego, who was always so cold, seemingly untouched. His empathy and pain shocked me. He wasn’t just a leader, he was someone who cared, someone struggling with the fear of loss.

“Diego,” I said softly, trying to reach his feelings. “I don’t want you to feel burdened by me. We can face this together. I won’t leave, even if all of this feels terrifying.”

He looked at me with eyes full of sincerity. “But what if I fail to protect you… what if I can’t do anything?” His voice trembled, and I could sense the deep uncertainty behind his words.

I stepped closer, ignoring the pain still lingering in my body. “I don’t care how much they hate me, Diego. I won’t run away again.”

Diego looked at me, his face no longer hard. “Then why do you want to stay here? Even after all this?”

I took a deep breath and said honestly, with all my heart, “Because I want to help. I want to stand beside you, not behind you. If fate has placed us in this position, then I want to fight for it with you.”

He looked surprised. His eyes stared at me for a long time, as if trying to read my intentions. The doubt on his face began to fade, but concern still lingered.

“Even if it means you will become an enemy to the people in this castle?” His voice was low, almost a whisper.

I nodded. “Even if it means I have to face them every day.”

He sighed, as if gathering his thoughts. “You know that this decision could change everything. We will face many challenges.”

“I know,” I replied firmly. “But I won’t back down. I’ve felt trapped in the shadows long enough. Now, I want to be part of the solution.”

Diego fell silent, but I could see his mind racing. “That’s risky. We could lose everything.”

“Risk is everywhere,” I said, trying to reassure him. “But if we don’t dare to take this step, we will never know what we can achieve.”

He rubbed his face slowly, then walked to the table and sat down, his shoulders finally relaxing from the tension that had gripped him. “This… isn’t easy, Nova.”

“I don’t want easy.”