The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 39

Chapter 39

The steadier Nova’s voice became, the more Hannah’s hands began to tremble uncontrollably. The beliefs she had clung to for so long were suddenly unraveling before her eyes.

Her mind spun wildly as she thought, *So all this time, I was completely mistaken. Nova hadn’t been living a carefree, joyful life overseas, leaving us behind to endure everything alone…*

The flood of emotions overwhelmed her, and she couldn’t take it all in at once. Abruptly, she pressed her hands to her ears and let out a sharp, piercing scream, “Ah!”

Without uttering another word, still clad in her swimsuit, Hannah ignored the imminent start of the swimming lesson and bolted out of the natatorium in a rush.

“Hannic!”

“Hannah!”

Two voices rang out almost at the same moment—Maxwell’s filled with genuine concern, and Claire’s, which sounded caring on the surface but hid a secret satisfaction beneath.

Claire didn’t truly care about Hannah’s distress. In fact, the thought of Hannah’s downfall secretly delighted her.

Suddenly, Claire’s eyes flicked toward Nova. *Oh great, now here comes Nova,* she thought bitterly.

Maxwell was about to follow Hannah immediately, but Nova placed a firm hand on his shoulder, stopping him.

“Let her be alone for a while,” Nova said quietly, her gaze fixed on Hannah’s retreating figure. Her voice was calm, steady, and carried a maturity beyond her years.

For a brief moment, Maxwell felt as if Nova—the youngest among the three siblings—was acting more like the eldest sister. He nodded in agreement. “Alright.”

Despite the stir caused by Nova’s scars earlier, no one pressed the issue further. With the swimming class about to start, everyone had no choice but to set the matter aside for the time being.

The lesson commenced. The instructor demonstrated the new swimming stroke with his usual precision, then announced a period of free practice, allowing the students to train independently.

Maxwell had already arranged for the teacher to excuse Hannah, and the teacher did not comment during the roll call.

As free practice began, Nova, one hand casually tucked into her pocket, moved toward the exit.

Seeing her take the same route Hannah had just left by, Maxwell hesitated for a moment before deciding to follow.

“Hey, Nova, where are you headed? I’ll—” Ethan called out softly, trailing behind her with an expression full of hopeful pleading.

But Sophia quickly grabbed his arm, pulling him back just in time. “Are you crazy? Can’t you see Nova’s going after Hannah? This is their family matter. Stay out of it.”

Before meeting Nova, Sophia would have been squealing over a handsome guy like Ethan, never bold enough to take such direct action. But knowing how Nova had quietly changed her, even her past self would be shocked by her current behavior.

Ethan scratched his head sheepishly and nodded. “Oh, okay.”

Before leaving, she shot Nova a long, steady look. “What happened before is behind us. We’re even now. But that doesn’t mean I accept you as my sister.”

“I know your childhood was difficult,” she continued, “but I still don’t like you. I don’t like your arrogant words or your attitude.”

“There are things in this world I don’t understand. You’ve been poor, and you’ve struggled, but that doesn’t give you the right to boast that you can fight in Max’s place and defeat Zane with a single move.”

“You’ve had it rough, but that doesn’t mean you’re that strong. We don’t have to pretend you are.”

“You need to tone it down, Nova. SLRA isn’t as simple as you think. The hidden experts here are not people you want to provoke. You’d better stay out of my and Maxwell’s way.”

With that, Hannah turned and walked away. Although her words were harsh, her tone was noticeably softer than before.

Hannah was naturally proud and arrogant. While she scolded Nova and claimed she wouldn’t forgive her, the last thing she said—“You’d better stay out of me and Maxwell’s way”—carried a subtle warning: if Nova got into trouble, as an older sister, Hannah wouldn’t just stand by.

“Novie.” Maxwell’s voice came from the stairs as he approached.

He hesitated briefly before asking, “During all those years you were away, what exactly did you do for a living? I’m just asking. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

Hannah, who had been about to leave, paused and glanced back at Nova.

Nova smiled faintly under their intense gazes. Then, with a calm voice, she replied, “I have been a…”