Chapter 660: Rebirth and the Road Ahead
But this same beauty was hidden beneath layers of unfading grief. Her once bright eyes were absent, as if unable to reflect the world’s colors aside from gray. Even the lively cat he had brought her remained silent between her trembling fingers, giving the impression that it knew what had happened and wanted to let her owner overcome her sorrow.
He sighed. Ever since Adam had disappeared, the most cheerful person he had ever known had fallen into a profound mutism. She reacted to his words, though. She even moved to the council room to listen to critical planning. But the gloomy atmosphere surrounding her like a murky aura, worse than when she was a banshee, worried him.
Even if he knew it was useless, he walked to her and patted her shoulder gently. "Hey, Nova. We don’t see each other anymore, but I hope you’ll recover soon." His lips twisted. "I mean, you’re an important big sister to me."
She raised her head, a lonely spark flashing in her eyes as the corner of her lips twitched. Yet, the fleeting reaction vanished faster than it had appeared. She lowered her face without a word and waved Stella’s paw as her only answer.
A searing pain pierced his chest. She couldn’t remain like that, but he didn’t know how to help her when she seemed far too gone.
"Let me handle her," Alina said, her voice soft as she raised a decisive finger before Nova. "You’ll live with me starting today—I’m not giving you a choice." She gripped her arms. "We gave you enough time to sort your feelings. You clearly need help and we’re not giving up on you!"
Nova remained silent, yet her shoulders trembled subtly—enough to relieve Julius.
"Thank you, mom. I..."
Before he could continue, the ground rumbled beneath his feet. The noise and the citizen’s surprised screams deafened him as he secured the two women in his arms.