Nova

Nova stood before the full-length mirror, smoothing the delicate fabric of her floral sundress. The soft pastel hues and intricate embroidery were a stark contrast to the somber mood that had settled over their home. Today was her and Chad's anniversary, a day that once held the promise of new beginnings, but now felt like a tightening noose around her neck. With a deep breath, Nova tried to push down the growing sense of unease that had become her constant companion. She had spent hours meticulously preparing a special dinner, hoping that perhaps this time, Chad would see her, truly see her. But experience had taught her that his attention was fleeting, his affection conditional. As she applied the final touches of makeup, Nova couldn't help but feel like she was donning a mask, hiding the fragile woman beneath the carefully curated facade. The soft pink lipstick and delicate blush were a thin veneer, masking the bruises that had begun to mar her porcelain skin. She knew that no matter how much she tried to please him, it would never be enough. The sound of the front door slamming shut jolted Nova from her thoughts, and she hurried to the kitchen, her heart racing. Chad's arrival always brought with it a sense of dread, a feeling that she was never quite good enough, never quite what he wanted. "Honey, I'm home," Chad's voice boomed, his tone laced with an edge of irritation. Nova quickly wiped her sweaty palms on the apron tied around her waist and forced a smile, trying to mask the tremor in her voice. "Welcome home, dear. Dinner is almost ready." She gestured to the table, adorned with a crisp white tablecloth, delicate china, and a centerpiece of freshly cut flowers. Chad's eyes swept over the setting, his brow furrowing in what Nova could only interpret as displeasure. "You know I hate it when you go overboard with this kind of thing," he grumbled, shrugging off his suit jacket and tossing it carelessly onto the nearby chair. Nova's heart sank, and she felt the familiar sting of disappointment. "I just wanted to make it special, since it's our anniversary," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "Anniversary, huh?" Chad scoffed, rolling his eyes as he loosened his tie. "Seems like just another day to me." He made his way to the liquor cabinet, pouring himself a generous glass of scotch. Nova watched helplessly as he downed the amber liquid, her own appetite vanishing. She had hoped that this year would be different, that perhaps Chad would remember the significance of the day and make an effort to acknowledge it. But deep down, she knew better. Their marriage had become a hollow shell, devoid of the love and affection she had once craved. Sensing Nova's discomfort, Chad turned to her, a forced smile plastered on his face. "Alright, let's get this over with. What's for dinner, dear?" Swallowing the lump in her throat, Nova gestured to the table. "I've prepared your favorite roast chicken, with roasted potatoes and asparagus." She tried to sound cheerful, but the words felt like lead on her tongue. Chad nodded, his gaze sweeping over the table once more. "Looks fine, I suppose." He took another sip of his drink, his eyes narrowing as he studied Nova's appearance. "You know, I prefer it when you wear that black dress I bought you. It suits you better." Nova's heart sank, and she instinctively tugged at the hem of her sundress. "But I thought the floral one would be more appropriate for the occasion," she protested weakly, knowing it was a futile effort. "Appropriate, huh?" Chad scoffed, setting down his glass and moving closer to Nova. "Since when have you been the one to decide what's appropriate?" His voice held a dangerous edge, and Nova felt herself shrinking back. "I-I'm sorry, dear. I'll go change right away." She turned to leave, but Chad's hand shot out, gripping her arm with bruising force. "No, you'll wear what I tell you to wear. Understood?" His eyes bore into hers, daring her to defy him. Nova nodded meekly, her heart pounding in her ears. "Yes, Chad. I'll go change." She hurried to the bedroom, tears stinging her eyes as she slipped out of the sundress and into the black sheath that Chad preferred. The fabric clung to her body, a constant reminder of her submission to his will. When she returned to the dining room, Chad had already taken his seat, his expression unreadable. Nova quietly served the meal, her hands trembling slightly as she placed the plates on the table. She took her own seat, her appetite completely gone, and watched as Chad began to eat, his movements brisk and efficient. The silence between them was deafening, broken only by the occasional clink of silverware against china. Nova picked at her food, her mind racing with a thousand unspoken thoughts. She longed to reach out, to find the man she had fallen in love with all those years ago, but that person seemed to have vanished, replaced by a stranger who demanded her complete obedience. As the meal drew to a close, Chad pushed his plate away and leaned back in his chair, fixing Nova with a piercing stare. "So, how was your day, dear?" The question sounded more like an accusation than a genuine inquiry. Nova's heart skipped a beat, and she forced herself to meet his gaze. "It was fine, dear. I spent most of the day preparing for our anniversary dinner." She hesitated, then added, "I was hoping we could do something special to celebrate." Chad's expression darkened, and he let out a humorless laugh. "Special? You think a fancy dinner and some flowers are going to make this marriage special?" He shook his head, his lips curling into a sneer. "You really are a naive little thing, aren't you?" Nova felt the color drain from her face, and she struggled to find the right words. "I-I just thought that maybe we could—" "Maybe we could what?" Chad interrupted, his voice rising. "Pretend that everything is just fine and dandy? That we're some happy, perfect couple?" He scoffed and took another sip of his drink. "Wake up, Nova. This marriage is anything but special." Tears threatened to spill from Nova's eyes, but she blinked them back, determined not to show her weakness. "I'm sorry, Chad. I just wanted to—" "You just wanted to what?" Chad snapped, slamming his hand down on the table, causing the china to rattle. "Please, enlighten me. What exactly did you want?" Nova flinched at the outburst, her hands trembling in her lap. "I-I just wanted us to have a nice evening together, to remember why we got married in the first place," she whispered, her voice barely audible. Chad let out a derisive laugh, shaking his head in disgust. "Remember why we got married? That's rich." He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "We got married because you were desperate for a way out of that pathetic little town you grew up in. And I, well, I was looking for a trophy wife to show off to my colleagues." Nova felt the air leave her lungs, the harsh words cutting her like a knife. She had always known their marriage was not built on the foundation of true love, but hearing it spoken so bluntly was devastating. "But I guess I overestimated your worth," Chad continued, his voice dripping with disdain. "You're nothing more than a simpering, needy little girl who can't even manage to keep a simple dinner together." Tears streamed down Nova's cheeks as she struggled to find her voice. "Chad, please, I—" "Save it," he snapped, holding up a hand to silence her. "I'm done with this pathetic display. I'm going out, and when I come back, I expect you to be in that black dress, ready to make it up to me." With that, he pushed himself away from the table and stormed out of the room, leaving Nova alone with the remnants of their shattered anniversary dinner. Nova sat there, her body trembling, the weight of Chad's words crushing her. She had poured her heart into this evening, hoping against hope that it would somehow mend the cracks in their relationship, but it had only served to further highlight the depth of their disconnect. As the minutes ticked by, Nova slowly rose from her chair, her legs feeling like lead. She began to clear the table, mechanically gathering the dishes and carrying them to the kitchen sink. The sound of the running water did little to drown out the echoes of Chad's cruel words, and Nova found herself sinking to the floor, her back pressed against the cabinets as the sobs finally broke free. In the solitude of the kitchen, Nova allowed herself to let go, her anguished cries filling the air. She had always known that her marriage to Chad was not a fairytale, but the reality of it was far worse than she could have ever imagined. The man she had once loved had become a stranger, a tyrant who demanded her complete submission and obedience, leaving no room for her own desires or dreams. As the tears subsided, Nova took a deep, shuddering breath and wiped her eyes. She knew that she could not continue living like this, trapped in a cycle of abuse and neglect. But the fear of the unknown, the fear of leaving the only life she had ever known, kept her rooted in place, a prisoner in her own home. Slowly, Nova rose to her feet and made her way to the bedroom, her heart heavy with resignation. She changed into a black dress, the fabric clinging to her body like a second skin, a constant reminder of her subjugation. As she stared at her reflection in the mirror, she barely recognized the woman staring back at her, her once vibrant spirit dimmed by the weight of her circumstances. With a heavy sigh, Nova left the bedroom and made her way back to the living room, where she waited in silence for Chad's return, her mind racing with a thousand unanswered questions and the faint glimmer of a desperate hope that somehow, someway, things would change.