The message was short. Direct.
"Come alone. 10 PM. South Tower Rooftop. – Nova"
Damon stared at the screen.
Not because of what it said —
But because of who it was from.
System Prompt: Emotional Crossroad Detected
Incoming Event May Trigger Trauma, Memory Recall, Strategic Disruption.
Recommended: Purchase "Mind Palace Upgrade – Tier I" (Limited Time)
– Enhances emotional regulation under pressure
– Stores and recalls key intel, memories, and facial microexpressions
– Increases resistance to seduction, manipulation, and memory fog
Cost: $150,000
Spender's Dominion Active: 4x ROI Predicted Based on Outcome Reversal Potential
Damon bought it instantly.
Upgrade Installed. System Mindcore Interface Expanded.
He closed his eyes — and for the first time, his thoughts organized themselves like a chessboard. Pain. Love. Lust. Regret. Strategy. Each placed in its own space.
Nova Cross was no longer just a memory.
She was a live wire.
10:00 PM — South Tower Rooftop
Nova stood at the edge, wind pulling at her curls, eyes locked on the skyline.
She didn't turn when he arrived.
"You're different," she said.
"So are you."
Silence.
She turned, finally — slow. Beautiful. Untamed.
"You disappeared, Damon. Left me to crawl out of the hell we were both drowning in."
"I didn't disappear," he said. "I evolved."
Nova took a step closer. "You think power erases pain?"
"No," Damon replied. "But it makes damn sure I never feel powerless again."
Their eyes clashed like blades.
Then she said: "You're on every watchlist. Every underworld whisper. The feds are closing in. And the vultures in this school? They want your name, your throne… or your corpse."
"And you?" he asked.
Nova smirked. "I want to see if the man who broke me can still outplay the girl who rebuilt herself."
Romance Path Update – Nova Cross:
Emotional Tension: 93%
Seduction Readiness: 41%
Loyalty: 52% (Volatile)
Bonus Trait Detected: "Rival Flame" – Emotional proximity unlocks a fusion of attraction and chaos. This can lead to either explosive love… or strategic collapse.
Mind Palace Active: Emotional Control Stable.
Damon stepped forward. "If you're here to destroy me… don't miss."
Nova's eyes flickered.
"If I was here to destroy you," she whispered, "I'd already be gone."
Meanwhile — North Hall Café
Tasha sat across from Jalen Kross, a mid-tier heir with ties to Lucien Black's crew. She looked different: designer bags, expensive nails, but a coldness in her eyes.
She watched a video of Damon and Nova walking away from the rooftop… together.
Jalen said, "Why do you even care? You cheated on him."
Tasha didn't respond.
She just whispered:
"Because I didn't think he'd ever become a man the whole damn world wanted."