Marissa’s top lip curled back over her teeth. “I could have been, but you never would have known because you just cut me off for her.” Her eyes dropped to Huey, and her face twisted. “Did you knock her up? Is that why? You could have talked to me; I would have accepted your bastard if I still got to keep you.”

“Wait a fucking second—” Nova started, but then Marissa’s palm was whipping out and connecting with Nova’s cheek, her long talons scratching across Nova’s cheekbone.

“What the fuck?!” I shouted, stepping in front of Nova and pushing Marissa’s shoulder. She stumbled back like she’d been shot.

“Don’t fucking touch me!” she screamed. “I’m going to sue you for assault, River Cooper, and you’ll beg to take me back!”

I stood there in front of Nova, protecting her from this obviously unhinged bitch. “Go away, Marissa. I’m getting a restraining order so expect a visit from the cops, you crazy bitch.”

The pure poison leaching from her eyes made me feel like a fool. How had I let it go on so long?

“Run along then, River. Take your little slut and your bastard home. I hope you enjoyed your career, because it’s fucking over.” She lifted her chin to the left, and I spotted the pap, his camera raised. Then I noticed all the other people with their phones pointed at us.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

I hustled a shocked Nova back to our car, taking Huey from her shaking hands and putting him back in his car seat. Driving away, I cursed under my breath. This was so fucking bad.

Nova was staring straight ahead, not meeting my eyes.

“Nova…”

I could see the angry red mark of Marissa’s hand, the thin lines of blood where that bitch’s nails had scratched her. I’d screwed this up already. I knew happiness wasn’t meant for me. I’d just forgotten.

I wouldn’t forget again.

Chapter Thirty

NOVA

I was sitting in the living room on Rigby’s lap, a cold pack being held to my face kind of unnecessarily. But River wouldn’t take no for an answer. I was a bit in shock. My heart was still racing, and adrenaline made my skin somehow both cold and tingly, which shouldn’t have been possible.

River was in his office on the phone, but I could hear the heavy footfalls of his pacing. Rigby was silent but tense. He was furious. I could tell he was livid—despite the loose way his hands stroked my spine, and the soft words he spoke to me, the sensation of pure outrage poured off him.