CHAPTER 17
Nina swallowed the pills without even chasing them with water. The bitterness spread across her tongue, but she barely tasted it. Her hands found her phone by instinct. She opened the news—and saw herself.
In the photo, she wore a robe and slippers, walking down the street with rounded shoulders and an empty stare. Below it, a loud headline read:“Frank Osborne’s Wife Is Mentally Ill. Shocking Details.”
It felt as if someone had turned her inside out.
This was Frank. She didn’t doubt it for a second. He was the one who’d leaked it to the press. He’d decided to finish her off completely.
She couldn’t keep reading, yet her eyes still snagged on the lines.
“Family Carefully Hid Nina Osborne’s Illness.”
“New Scandal: Businessman’s Wife Displays Erratic Behavior.”
“What’s Really Going On in the Home of a Successful Entrepreneur?”
Nina gripped the phone so hard her fingers hurt. He was doing everything he could to make her look unstable. To strip her of everything. To make sure no one in court questioned his actions.
He wasn’t just taking her property—he was taking her name, her reputation. Erasing her from this life. It was avicious cycle, and she had no idea how to break it. Three law firms had turned her down already. No one wanted the case—or they suggested she accept Frank’s terms. She needed someone with real connections. She was still waiting forRobert Stanfield to find someone, but with every passing day her hope thinned.
Enough. No more self-reflection. If she couldn’t get things done legally—she’d find another way.
And she sure as hell wouldn’t letVivian have a happy life. Or take her place.
***
The morning was clear but cold. Nina stood in front of the mirror, brushing her hair slowly, forcing herself to look composed.
She wouldn’t let anyone see her broken again. Not Frank. Not Daphne. Not all those people now whispering about her“meltdown.”
She chose a calm, elegant outfit, smoothed the fabric at her waist, and added a subtle shade of lipstick.
A professional look. A woman who had everything under control.
Today she’d go to the children’s center like always. As if nothing had happened.
The center was full of kids, as usual.
Nina tried not to pay attention to the glances from the staff and other volunteers. She acted normal—smiled at the children, greeted coworkers, headed into the locker room, where Stella was already tucking things into her cubby.
“Nina, darling, how are you?”Stella’s voice was soft, but her eyes sparkled with gossip-hungry curiosity.
Nina barely held back a smirk. Of course. Stella was one of the biggest gossips in town. And her circle wasn’t office workers—no, she mingled exclusively with the same wealthy, power-hungry socialites whose husbands held high positions.
“I’m wonderful, Stella. Absolutely wonderful.”
She pulled on her volunteer sweatshirt and tucked her hair under her cap.
“Let’s go grab the bikes. Lunch break is coming up.”
They stepped outside to a yard scattered with scooters, bikes, bouncing balls. Nina lifted one of the children’s bikes and set it against the wall. Stella gathered scooters but kept glancing at her over and over. She was dying inside.
Nina laughed quietly and spoke first:
“Go on, ask already. I can see you’re itching to know everything.”
Stella flushed.
