Page 42 of In the Light of Day

“Nova? Nova? Is that you? Ace? NOVA? Phillip! I can't hear her. Hello? Oh my god, the phone is broken. How can this be happening? Of all the nights!”

“Lizzy it's me, I can hear you,” I say timidly.

“Do you think it's connected to the car? Hello? Nova? For god's sake Phillip if I have to light a bloody fire and send smoke sig–”

“LIZZY!”

“Nova?”

“I couldn't get a word in. Sorry for yelling. I'm so sorry Lizzy. I'm cursed. I ruin everything.”

Ace lets out a low growl from behind me but I'm not in the mood for one of hisstop talking negativelytalks. I feel like shit. I've basically ruined my sister's wedding because, once again, my past decided to creep in and remind everyone that I still exist.

“Oh Nova, you didn't ruin anything. I'm just so grateful to hear your voice. Are you okay? Nothing that happened tonight was your doing. I was standing on stage and saw everything. I’m so sorry, Nova. I never thought they would do that, especially in front of everyone.”

She speaks without taking a breath, and with such passion that I'd be stupid not to believe her. I'm so incredibly grateful that it hasn't ruined our relationship.

“After everything that's happened tonight and the lead up to the wedding, I just can't do it anymore and I've decided to go no contact with Mum and Dad. Tonight was the push I needed but they've made my life hell over the past few months, the last few years really. Mum even said to Phillip's dad that he should be thankful they have been accepting of their position in society. What the fuck does that even mean? She's acting like she’s the queen or something. Anyway after your last visit, I took a leaf out of my big sister's book and we eloped. It was beautiful and perfect and mum wasn't anywhere in sight.”

I sob into the phone, not caring how I look as the tears stream down my face. I'm so incredibly relieved that I've not lost her, that our mother won't get her claws into her now. I never realised how much I was still holding onto, worried that somehow Lizzy might be roped into some sort of situation and blamed for it.

“I'm so happy for you both,” I bawl, as Ace leans over to get me the tissue box from the nightstand.

“Lizzy?” Ace questions hesitantly. “Sorry for shooting up your reception.”

“Ha! It's okay. My aunt’s a bitch and she deserved it after hitting Nova. I'm just glad you two are okay. You are okay, right?” She asks tentatively.

“We’re good, Sis. We’re good.”

I can't help but grin over him using the wordSis, cementing her place within our little family. A mishmashed group made up of the people we want and not who we’re forced to be around.

“Phillip's dad is friends with the local police sergeant and explained what happened. The official word is everyone thinks her vape exploded so no one will come looking for you. I feel like we're criminal masterminds but I'm just glad you're both safe.”

Lizzy continues to talk a mile a minute over everything that happened after we left. Our mother was frothing, apparently, screaming that her reputation was ruined and how ungrateful I was. I couldn't help but roll my eyes because of course, it was my fault I was hit. She would no doubt say I should have moved out of the way faster. I relax back into Ace's hold and despite it being the worst night ever, it's also been a hugely successful night to. It allowed me the little kickstart I needed to embrace everything that Ace can give me. I’m not that scared girl anymore, my future is warm with his body wrapped around mine, and I’m not going to hold back from everything he has to offer.

Chapter 34 - Ace

Waking up with the dawn, I slowly ease my arm out from under Nova. Reluctantly getting out of bed, I move around the small room, turning off the few nightlights I brought to make sure we are never in complete darkness. I have a plan to make the most of this time we have away. Operation Honeymoon andget over the shit-fest of Lizzy's rehearsal dinneris firmly underway.

Practically chugging my scalding hot coffee, I leave a note just in case the beauty, sleeping in our bed wakes up. There’s a small mark on her cheek from where her aunt hit her and I already know how red her eyes are going to be based on how puffy her lids look, but she's still the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.

One of the perks of staying in a fancy mountain resort is that there’s always someone at the front desk and as I plead my case to the tired woman, she shuffles a few things around so we can move into one of the private cabins on the other side of the lake for the rest of our stay. Apparently, there are a few perks for mentioning it's your honeymoon and we've been upgraded to the secluded lakeside cabin. She's even thrown in the meal package for free which means a week of uninterrupted bliss with my new wife.

???

The gravel road is small and windy as we make the short journey to the most sequestered cabin on the property. Ours is the last on the single road and past a gate so no one unexpected appears. Any staff who come to the cabin are arranged in advance so we have a warning in caseactivitiesare happening. Pulling up to the end of the road I can see why you might need prior warning.

The cabin is nestled between the lake and the edge of the forest where large native trees offer protection from the elements. A huge deck extends from the front and I'm not sure where the edge of the lake truly starts.

It looks as though the cabin is floating. Festoon lights are strung all over and I can already picture how magical it’s going to be after dark.

I have a suitcase full ofromancethat I was able to arrange this morning. I've never been one to throw money at a problem but I let the lady at reception have free reign of my credit card, ordering everything necessary that could be delivered immediately. Nova has been suspicious all morning, especially when I explained we needed to pack up and move to another spot. Then I had to spend thirty minutes reassuring her Beans was well looked after and that Mila agreed to help out Ashley for our extended stay. Considering all that's happened over the past few days, she's been in relatively good spirits. She's so much stronger than she realises. She always has been.

Taking her hand in mine, we sit in the cab of my truck just staring at the view. It’s like something out of a movie. The water is so still it mirrors the surrounding sanctuary and even though the sun is high overhead, it filters through the trees to create a soft light.

“Ace?” she gasps, “are we staying here?”

“Yeah, darlin'. Happy honeymoon.”

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