Chapter 1 1

News *NOVA'S POV*

"Nora..." My mother's voice trembled slightly as she spoke. "Nova, there's something we need to tell you."

I frowned, confusion knitting my brow. "What do you mean? What's going on?"

"Dad" I called turning to look at him.

"What's mom talking about?"

My father reached across the table, taking my hand in his. "Nova, Nora... Nora's gone. She passed away."

***

*Earlier that day*

The airport was bustling with life, a sea of travelers moving in every direction. The sounds of rolling luggage, chatter, and announcements blended into a constant hum. I navigated through the crowd, excitement bubbling within me as I made my way to the baggage claim. It had been too long since I was in London. I hadn't seen my family for years since I traveled out to study. I missed them so much, especially my twin sister Nora.

We hadn't spoken properly for three-plus years now. Nora had been distant-too distant-and it wasn't like her. She'd ignored my calls, responded to texts with one-word answers, and hadn't posted anything on social media for a long while. The last time we spoke she was angry that I couldn't make it to her wedding. I tried reaching out to her after that but she wouldn't respond and when I tried getting my parents, Albert and Lacy to intervene, they asked that I leave her be till she comes around herself. And she never did. It was as though she was cutting me out of her life. I was back now and I planned to make it up to her.

She was the only sibling I've got, and I wasn't going to let my absence ruin our relationship. "I have to ask for her forgiveness," I thought to myself.

I spotted my suitcase and yanked it off the carousel, almost bouncing with anticipation as I headed outside. The air was thick with humidity, typical for this time of year, but even that couldn't dampen my spirits. I pulled out my phone and called for a cab, eager to get home as quickly as possible.

The ride home felt both familiar and strange. Buildings and streets I knew by heart, yet hadn't seen in years, passed by the window. My thoughts drifted to the times Nora and I spent on these very streets, back when everything seemed simpler. I couldn't wait to pick up where we'd left off, to laugh and talk like we used to.

When the cab finally pulled up in front of my parent's house, I practically jumped out, my suitcase dragging behind me as I made my way up the front steps. The house looked different. It had been remodeled, almost unrecognizable. It looked beautiful, but something felt wrong. It was almost as if the air was heavier, weighed down by something I couldn't quite place.

I pushed the door open to see my mom running around with the maid trying to prepare something to eat. She was stopped in her tracks at the sight of me.

"Nova!" She called, her eyes teary.

"Mom."

"My love, why didn't you call when you arrived at the airport?" She asked while hugging me.

"Your dad would have come pick you up," she added.

"you don't have to worry about that mom, I'm here now, plus I wanted my arrival to be a surprise."

"My lovely daughter I've missed you so so much," she said giving me another tight squeeze.

"I've missed you too Mom," and I hugged her back.

"Mom you're going to suffocate me," I said chuckling.

"Alright," she smiled.

"What about Dad, where is he?"

"He just stepped out to get something from the grocery store, he'll be back any moment now."

"Okay"

"Go freshen up, I've prepared a feast just for you my dear,"

"Run along, we wouldn't want the food going cold," She said heading for the kitchen.

I stood wondering if my room was in the same direction. My mom who guessed why I stood still asked the maid to direct me to my room.

No expense was spared in the new interior decoration of the house. Last I remembered, we were struggling financially, so I was surprised to see all these changes.

"Is there something they aren't telling me?" I muttered to myself.

I got into my room, which followed the same level of prestige as the rest of the house. As much as I was shocked I wasn't complaining. I couldn't deny the beauty of the place.

I dropped my luggage and took a shower. I threw on my change of clothes and put my long black hair in a ponytail.

Looking at the mirror I wondered if my sister and I still shared the same Petite body size, or if being married had changed her. But no matter how much she changed, the birthmark we both had behind our ears would forever be there.

I headed out for the dining area when I heard my dad's voice.

"Lacy dear," he called my mom.

"Where is my pumpkin pie?"

"Dear you're always loud," she said chuckling.

"She's just upstairs freshening up, she'll be down when she's done," she added.

I was happy at the sight of my parent's excitement.

"Dad."

"Pumpkin pie" he called with a wide smile.

He hugged me tightly. "Dad you and mom are acting like you'll never see me again," I said chuckling.

"No, why would you say that," my dad said nervously.

"Weird," I thought

"Your mom and I just missed you dearly, you were so busy with school and we didn't want to distract you from your studies." He said.

"you know the family business is depending on you," he added, giving me a wink.

"Dad don't say that there's Nora too."

"Let's go eat," he said smiling weirdly.

We made our way to the dining room, where the table was already set with an array of delicious dishes.

" I made sure to make your favorite dish."

"Thanks, Mom, I've missed a good home-cooked meal," I said smiling.

We chatted about my trip, the latest family news, and all the little things I had missed while I was away. It felt good, normal, and I found myself slipping easily into the rhythm of home life.

I noticed Nora's name wasn't mentioned in any of our conversations so I waited until the conversation hit a lull before bringing it up.

"So, where's Nora?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light. "I can't wait to see her. It's been way too long."

The moment the words left my mouth, I noticed a shift in the atmosphere. My mother's smile faltered, and my father set his fork down with a sigh. My heart skipped a beat, a cold sense of dread creeping in.

*Back To Present Time*

I felt a lump form in my heart as his words fled his lips. The words hung in the air, heavy and incomprehensible. For a moment, I couldn't process what he was saying.

Gone? How could she be gone? I had just been thinking about surprising her, about all the things we would do together now that I was home.

"Mom, please tell me what dad is saying isn't true," I said with tears falling from my eyes.

"Hunny, I wish he was lying too." Her eyes were red and puffy.

"It happened suddenly," my mother said, her voice breaking as she spoke. "We didn't know how to tell you."

I shook my head, refusing to believe it. "No... no, this can't be real. when did this happen? And why did no one tell me about it?"

"We didn't know how," my father repeated, his voice thick with emotion. "It's been three years," he said clenching his fists.

"was so sudden, Nova. None of us saw it coming."

"Three... three years and you both didn't bother to mention it"

"She just came visiting with some of her things, which was out of the blue and unlike her. She stayed for a couple of weeks and that was the last we heard from her." My mother said crying.

"She died in the hospital after her visit."

"We didn't want to distract you from your studies that's why we didn't say a thing," my father added.

"So my books were more important than my own sister, your daughter," I said raising my voice.

"I've lost my appetite."

"We are sorry Nova," my mother said with pleading eyes.

"Where are her things?" I asked hoping they would bring me closer to her.

"They're in the room beside yours."

I stormed off headed for Nora's room. I was going through her boxed things when I came across her diary. Only to be shocked that her death wasn't just because of her illness, but someone had a hand in it.