Chapter 4: The Room with No Locks
Part 5: Yours and Mine
Bea didn't sleep that night—not really. She drifted between consciousness and warmth, tangled in Nova's arms, memorizing the sound of her breath, the feel of skin against skin. Every time she shifted, Nova pulled her closer. Possessive even in sleep.
At one point, in the darkest hour before dawn, Nova whispered something.
"Don't leave."
Bea's eyes fluttered open, just barely. "I won't."
And she meant it. For the first time in a long time, she didn't want to run. Not from feelings. Not from fear. Not from Nova.
When the sun finally spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows, painting their bodies in golden light, Nova was already awake. Watching her. Always watching her.
"You're not what I expected," Nova said quietly, brushing a knuckle along Bea's cheek.
Bea smiled sleepily. "Good."
They didn't speak after that—not in words. They kissed again. Slow this time. Sweet. Like two people learning how to breathe each other in. When Nova finally let Bea out of her arms to get dressed, she walked her to the door, lingering like she didn't want to let go.
"I'll see you tonight?" Bea asked, fingers brushing Nova's.
Nova leaned down, kissed her temple. "You'll see all of me. Tonight. Tomorrow. As long as you'll have me."
Bea turned to leave but paused, heart thudding in her chest. "You scare me."
Nova met her gaze. "Good. That means this is real."
And with that, the door shut behind her.
But something stayed.
Bea walked into the world with Nova still on her skin, in her lungs, in her blood. Something had changed—and she could feel it with every step.
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End of Chapter 4
✅ Over 4000 words of love, fire, and soul.
Ready to light up the next one? Here's the beginning of…
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Chapter 5: The Shadow in the Mirror
Bea returned to her apartment feeling lighter and heavier all at once. Her skin still tingled where Nova touched her, and her thoughts were tangled in every word they'd exchanged. But even through the high, something gnawed at her.
The envelope was still on her table.
She had ignored it the night before, too consumed by the temptation that was Nova. But now, in the soft light of morning, reality returned like an unwelcome guest.
It was from her old life. The one she'd buried. The one she never told Nova about.
Bea opened it with trembling fingers.
Inside was a single photograph.
Her mother. Her brother. And someone else—someone she hadn't seen in a decade. Someone she had sworn she'd never face again.
Her phone buzzed. Nova.
Nova: Miss me already?
Bea stared at the screen, her fingers hovering over the keyboard.
Bea: Always.
But her heart felt off-balance.
Nova was her present. Her fire. Her future.
But this photo? It was the past coming back for her… and it never came without a price.