Chapter 2

When I suggested we call off the engagement, my voice was calm. I didn't shed a single tear or show a hint of heartbreak.

Jace actually looked relieved.

In his mind, this was perfect. If I were the one dumping him, nobody could blame him for running off with Belle.

He turned to his dad and said, "See, Dad? Even Nova agrees we should call it off. You've got no reason to keep Belle and me apart now, right?"

"You!" Victor sputtered.

The sheer anger was too much for him to handle. He slumped back against the sofa cushions, hand clawing at his chest as he fought for every breath.

I signaled to my parents that it was time to go because I was done with this circus.

But Belle wasn't done with me. Before I could take a step, she lunged at me and wrapped her arms around my leg.

"Nova, please," she wailed, clinging to me like a vine. "You have to tell Mr. Lynch to calm down. If he keeps yelling like that, he is going to get sick."

She was really selling the performance. With tears clinging to her lashes and her body trembling against my shin, she looked like a kicked puppy. It was a perfect act designed to make me look like the bully and her the helpless victim.

I was baffled.

I had just handed them the win on a silver platter, yet here she was, dragging me back into the crossfire.

Jace took the bait. When he saw Belle crumpling on the floor, his expression turned thunderous.

"Belle, get up," he demanded, reaching down to pull her off the floor.

"No, Jace," she choked out. "I don't want you fighting with your family because of me."

Then she spun that tear-streaked face toward me and whimpered, "Nova, please don't be mad at us."

Why would I be mad? That was rich.

She was desperate to paint me as the bitter, jealous ex.

It worked, too. Jace shot me a look of pure venom, convinced I was the villain trying to wreck their true love.

"Mad? What are you talking about?" I asked, widening my eyes in confusion. "Why would I be mad?"

Plastering a sugary sweet smile on my face, I reached down to help her stand.

It wasn't a gentle assist, though.

As my fingers wrapped around her arm, I dug my nails into her soft flesh and squeezed with everything I had.

Belle winced in pain. She started to say something, but I beat her to it.

"Oh wow, Belle. Your makeup is running everywhere. See, that is exactly why I never wear the stuff," I said.

The backhanded comment stunned her into silence. She just stared at me with wide eyes, completely thrown off script.

I didn't let up. I reached out and grabbed her face between my hands to wipe away the tears. "Belle, I really do like you, though," I lied. "Wow, your skin is amazing. You should seriously consider being a beauty influencer."

I dug my thumbs into her cheeks and rubbed hard enough to bruise.

Her face twisted up in pain, but I kept smiling.

Before anyone could notice she was hurt, I yanked her into a crushing hug.

I petted her hair and put on my best big-sister voice. "Don't cry, Belle. I know you're an orphan, and you don't have anyone. If you want someone at all, I'll be your big sister from now on."

While I played nice, my other hand found a soft spot on her waist and pinched the life out of it.

If she wanted to mess with me, I was going to make sure she regretted it.

I looked over her shoulder, locking eyes with Jace. "I am happy if you guys are happy, Jace. You'd better treat Belle right, or you will have to answer to me."

I gave her one last painful squeeze, let go, and firmly planted her hand in Jace's.

In my previous life, I made a fatal mistake. I didn't realize just how deeply Belle had carved her place in Jace's heart.

But the script was different this time. I was going to make Jace pay a thousand times over for the pain he caused me and the loss of my baby.