The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Success never came without a cost, and Nova was no exception to this harsh truth.

After slipping into her swimsuit, she pulled on a lightweight, blue waterproof jacket to conceal the fresh wounds marring her upper body. Only when she felt sufficiently covered did she open the door of the private changing room and step out into the bustling corridor.

“Nova!” Sophia called out, jogging up to her in a sleek black swimsuit that perfectly matched her own style. She circled Nova once, unable to hide her admiration. “Wow, your figure is absolutely stunning! That tiny waist, those long legs… I’d never have guessed you eat so much. You’re honestly my dream—like a goddess with a metabolism that lets you eat whatever you want without gaining an ounce.”

Nova paid no mind to the compliments, her gaze fixed firmly ahead as she strode toward the exit of the girls’ changing area. “Let’s go,” she said simply.

Sophia hurried to keep pace beside her.

Beyond the changing rooms stretched the swimming pool, its water a crystal-clear shade of blue that revealed the tiled floor far below. Several students from the earlier swimming classes had already donned their school-issued swimsuits and gathered poolside, waiting eagerly for the lesson to begin.

Though the class hadn’t officially started, a few boys were already splashing around, showing off their strokes with exaggerated flair. Some even deliberately sprayed water toward the girls, hoping to provoke shrieks and draw attention to themselves in a clumsy display of bravado.

Nova scanned the crowd, noting there were roughly a hundred people present.

“Where are the school heartthrobs? Why haven’t they shown up yet?” Sophia wondered aloud, her eyes sweeping the poolside.

Before Nova could reply, a chorus of high-pitched squeals erupted behind them. “So handsome! Zane, Max, Ethan… their bodies are just perfect!”

“I’m about to faint. Look at me!”

Nova’s peripheral vision caught sight of three figures emerging from the boys’ changing room—Zane, Maxwell, and Ethan. Each wore nothing but swim trunks, their toned muscles a testament to years of rigorous self-defense training since childhood.

Zane and Maxwell’s eight-pack abs were especially impressive, while Ethan’s physique was equally well-balanced and strong.

Yet, despite their seemingly perfect forms, none of them stirred even the slightest flicker of interest in Nova’s eyes.

To her, these guys might be in great shape, but they paled in comparison to Damien—the one she had bumped into twice before. Even without seeing his bare chest, the firm, solid contours she had felt during their brief contact far exceeded anything she now observed.

The thought pulled Nova back to the present. Why was she even thinking about Damien? He was her only true adversary now. She quickly pushed the distraction aside.

“Uh…” Ethan stepped out of the changing room, scratching his head as if unfazed by the excited squeals around him. But his eyes brightened the moment they landed on Nova.

He hurried over, pride evident in his voice. “Nova! What a coincidence! Looks like this is our first lesson together.”

His loud greeting drew the attention of everyone nearby, including Zane’s sharp gaze.

Zane remembered Nova clearly—not just because she was Maxwell’s sister, but also due to her unusual remarks and the fact that she was the first girl ever to turn down one of his invitations.

As Maxwell moved toward Nova, Zane immediately closed the distance as well.

The three prom kings had now all approached the same girl—a privilege previously reserved exclusively for the three prom queens. Nova was the first exception to this unspoken rule.

Almost instantly, the other girls’ glances toward Nova turned cold, laced with jealousy and hostility.

Nova didn’t flinch. She simply raised an eyebrow at Ethan and said, “Yeah, quite the coincidence.”

Before Maxwell or Zane could respond, a female voice called out nearby. “Zane.”

Nova looked up to see Hannah, Claire, and an unfamiliar girl walking toward them. The speaker was the new girl, and from the reactions of those around, it was clear this was Jessica—the third of the school’s prom queens.

What girl with a great figure wouldn’t want to flaunt it? Unless she…

Claire recalled the rumors swirling around Nova—being kept by an older man, rumored to be a mistress, whispered to be promiscuous…

A grim smile twisted Claire’s lips. *Could it be that Nova’s body is covered in hickeys? That’s why she doesn’t dare show it?*

Seeing Hannah had stopped pressing Nova to remove the jacket, Claire suddenly snapped, “What’s wrong? Scared, Nova? Or is it that you’ve slept with so many men, and your body is covered with their marks, so you don’t dare show it?”

The crowd fell into a stunned silence.

Zane’s gaze shifted subtly toward Nova.

Maxwell’s expression stiffened, his eyes narrowing.

Hannah was shocked. Although she had said similar things herself in anger, she hadn’t expected Claire to humiliate Nova so openly.

“Claire?” Hannah murmured, dazed.

“Nonsense! Nova is not—” Sophia was the first to react, her anger rising so high she seemed ready to confront Claire, but Nova reached out and placed a hand gently on her shoulder, halting her.

A cold smile curved Nova’s lips, her eyes icy and unyielding. In a calm, measured voice, she said, “So eager to see? Fine then, if you insist. Hope you don’t have nightmares tonight.”

Without a hint of hesitation or embarrassment, and under the watchful eyes of every student present, she slowly peeled off the waterproof jacket.

Her arms, shoulders, and back were revealed—covered in scars. Against her pale skin, the marks left by knives and bullets stood out starkly, exposed for all to see.