LUCAS

Everything seemed so surreal to me. In a twinkling of an eye, I had lost Ella. It was hard for me to believe that Ella pretended to be in love with me. Nova seemed to be convinced that she had been acting, but I tried to reason with her.

"No, Dad, you do not know her as much as I do," she said. "I've known her for years. She's someone who will do anything, just to be on top. Please, Dad, listen to me."

"It's fine," I said to Nova, as I stroked her hair.

"I hate Ella so much," Nova added. ...