"Nova, you're awake! I was so worried about you. How are you feeling? The doctor mentioned you have a mild concussion. This is all my fault."

"I'm okay, just a little headache. Steve, don't blame yourself. It was my own fault for not being careful. It's not your fault at all," Nova reassured him.

Steve took her hand gently, his eyes filled with concern. "The doctor said you need to rest for a few days. You can move around a bit, but avoid any strenuous activities. If you feel any pain or discomfort, please let me know right away."

"I will," Nova nodded.

Steve got up to pour her a glass of water. "Would you like something to drink? Or is there anything else you need? I'm here to help."

"Just having you here is enough," Nova said, taking a sip of the water. "I really appreciate it."

A Month Later

"Good morning. It's such a sunny day!" Nova stretched and greeted Steve.

The room looked completely different from a month ago: the display cabinet in the living room, besides holding Steve's collectibles, was now mostly filled with plush toys. Some were bought by Nova, but most were from their outings at claw machines.

These outings had become a favorite pastime for them, filled with laughter and friendly competition. Each toy represented a small victory, a cherished memory they had created together.

"Morning!" Steve replied, pulling two bottles of milk from the fridge and handing one to Nova. The kitchen now had more cookware since Nova sometimes cooked, with Steve assisting her.

The once bare counters were now adorned with various kitchen gadgets and utensils, evidence of their culinary experiments. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the scent of toast, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere that contrasted sharply with the sterile environment of Steve's home just a few weeks prior.

The light gray sofa was adorned with brightly colored cushions, and there was a bouquet on the coffee table—clearly Nova's touch.

A month ago, this place resembled a showroom for a real estate company. Now, it looked more like a cozy love nest for a couple, filled with signs of life and love.

Just like his house, Steve's heart had been invaded by a woman named Nova.

Her presence had brought warmth and chaos into his once orderly life, and he found himself loving every moment of it. The changes were subtle but profound, each small detail a testament to the new chapter in his life.

The box was a small, elegant case made of dark mahogany wood, polished to a high sheen, with delicate gold hinges. She took it and asked, "What's this?" Her eyes widened in surprise and curiosity.

Upon opening it, she found a silver necklace with a large, sparkling diamond that clearly wasn't cheap. The gemstone caught the light, casting tiny rainbows around the room.

"Is this for me? It's too expensive. I can't accept it."

"It's a free gift that came with a purchase. It shouldn't be worth much. If you don't want it, just throw it away," Steve said nonchalantly, though there was a hint of anticipation in his eyes as he watched her reaction.

No woman dislikes shiny jewelry. Nova happily admired it against her neck, then turned to Steve and said, "Since it's not expensive, I'll keep it. Thank you for the gift, I love it. Can you help me put it on?" She handed the necklace to him, turning around and lifting her hair, exposing the nape of her neck.

Steve moved closer, his fingers brushing against her skin as he fastened the clasp. "There, all set," he murmured, his voice soft. Nova felt a shiver run down her spine at his touch, the moment charged with an unspoken intimacy.

Nova stood in front of the mirror for a moment, then checked the time. "It's time for work. Let's go."

For a brief moment, Nova felt a sense of déjà vu, as if she had gone to and from work with someone else before, but she couldn't remember anything specific. The feeling was fleeting but unsettling, a whisper from a past she couldn't quite recall.

As usual, Steve drove Nova to work. Near the company, she got out of the car and walked the rest of the way to avoid being seen arriving with Steve. They had developed a routine to keep their relationship discreet.

"Good morning!"

"You look great!"

"How's it going?"

Along the way, Nova exchanged greetings with her colleagues. So far, she got along well with most of them, except for two: her supervisor, Sophia, and a coworker, Mia. Their disapproval was a constant shadow, casting a pall over her otherwise pleasant work environment.

Mia's hostility was direct and obvious; she always targeted Nova, and everyone could see it. Her sneers and biting remarks were a daily annoyance.

Sophia, on the other hand, exercised her authority to make things difficult for Nova, but nothing she did could be outright accused of breaking company rules. People would just think Sophia was strict. Her criticism was always veiled as professional feedback, but Nova knew better.

"Wow, Nova, your necklace is beautiful! It looks like the latest piece from the top luxury brand CC. That unique design is truly impressive."

Nova swore she had never heard Mia speak to her in such an exaggerated tone. There was a mocking edge to her words that made Nova's skin crawl.

"You're mistaken; it's just a cheap necklace," Nova replied, not wanting to talk much with Mia. She knew better than to engage with Mia's provocations.

"Oh, come on, stop pretending." Mia scrutinized Nova's outfit disdainfully and said, "You don't look like someone who can afford luxury goods. It seems a wealthy 'friend' gave it to you." Her eyes flicked over Nova's attire, her expression a mix of jealousy and scorn.

"If you paid as much attention to your work as you do to observing others, you could reduce many mistakes and achieve greater success," Nova retorted before walking away.

Mia muttered a curse under her breath and glared at Nova's retreating figure, not noticing her coffee cup tilting until the warm liquid spilled on her. "Shit! Shit! Shit!" Mia became even angrier, her face flushed with embarrassment and fury.

She wiped off the coffee, took out her phone, sent a message to someone, her expression changing from anger to excitement, then tossed the cup into the trash and left.

Work went smoothly that day.

Surprisingly, Sophia didn't increase her workload, which puzzled Nova. She did notice colleagues whispering behind her back, seemingly discussing her. Nova went to the restroom to check herself in the mirror, finding nothing amiss. The only difference was the necklace Steve had given her.

Nova stood before the mirror, closely examining the necklace.

Steve said it was just a cheap gift, but Mia claimed it was a luxury piece. Given Mia's vanity and knowledge of luxury brands, she was unlikely to be mistaken. The truth must be that Steve lied about its value to make her accept the gift. The realization brought a mixture of warmth and irritation. She appreciated Steve's thoughtfulness but wished he had been honest with her.

Despite its splendor, Nova felt the necklace was causing trouble. As she considered removing it, she heard the restroom door open. She quickly entered a stall and stayed quiet. Her heart pounded in her chest as she listened.

Two female colleagues' voices followed, standing by the mirror and chatting.

"Did you see that anonymous email? The photos in it are explosive," a sharp voice said. It sounded like Charlotte, Nova thought.

"What email?" The other, lower voice was evidently unaware. That must be Harper.

"You haven't seen it? Check your email now!" Charlotte urged. "Everyone's talking about it, and you don't know?"

A few seconds later, Harper's surprised voice exclaimed, "Oh my God, is this real? These photos look so intimate. Is that really Nova? It doesn't seem like her. The sender claims it's Nova and Frank. But Frank is old enough to be Nova's father. Why would she do this?"

"Despite Frank being old and ugly, he's rich enough to attract a vain woman."

"But Nova doesn't seem like that kind of person," Harper questioned.

"How long have you known Nova to be sure of her character? Appearances can be deceiving. Didn't you notice her necklace today?"

"I saw it, it was beautiful, but I didn't pay much attention."

"You know nothing about luxury goods. That's the latest piece from CC. Nova would have to work here for years without spending a dime to afford it. Do you think she bought it herself? I'm just surprised Frank, the miser, would splurge on such an expensive gift for his lover."

"Oh my God."

"Not only that, I heard..." Charlotte lowered her voice.

The sound of the door opening interrupted their conversation.

Nova emerged from the stall. "Don't stop, continue. What else? I'd like to hear what I don't know." Her voice was steady.

"Sorry... Nova, I... just... I..." Charlotte stammered, avoiding Nova's gaze, looking embarrassed.

"I just remembered I have unfinished work. I should go." Harper fled as if chased by a monster, her footsteps echoing down the hallway.

"Gossiping behind people's backs isn't a good habit," Nova said as she washed her hands. "Especially in places like this, where you can easily be overheard. Don't you agree?" She looked directly at Charlotte, her gaze unwavering.

Charlotte nodded, her face pale. "I... I'm sorry, Nova. I didn't mean to... I just... I'm sorry."

Nova dried her hands and left, knowing this incident wouldn't just blow over. She had to find the source.

"Mia, Sophia, was this done by one of you? Or were you both involved? Well, I'm not as easy to bully as you think," Nova thought to herself.