“Oh, honestly, I didn’t believe a single article. I know those reporters. They’ve spread plenty of lies about my family over the years!”
Nina rolled her eyes.
“Well, at least someone doesn’t buy into it.”
Stella gave a nervous laugh.
“But… it’s just…”
“My husband’s trying to divorce me and strip me of the company by any means necessary,” Nina said it as casually as if they were discussing errands. As if it didn’t hurt, as if betrayal didn’t suffocate her.
Stella’s eyes flew wide open.
“You’re kidding?”
“Nope.”
Nina grabbed another bike and shook her head.
“He has a mistress. And a kid. The boy’s five. I caught them recently, and after that Frank started preparing the grounds to rob me blind in the divorce. You know my family’s pharmaceutical company never belonged to him.”
Stella was speechless. For the first time ever, she looked genuinely stunned.
“You’re serious?”
“Completely. And you know what’s even worse?” Nina lifted her head, giving her a pointed look.
“That mistress befriended me on purpose.”
Stella blinked in shock.
“No way!”
“Oh, yes.”
Nina calmly set the last scooter in place and wiped her hands on her apron.
“I knew the world was cruel, but this? She started going to the same yoga studio as me, pretended to be sweet and kind. We were‘friends’for months. Shopping, brunches, weekend outings—everywhere together. And I had no idea that the‘husband’she kept mentioning was actually my Frank.”
“I can’t even… imagine,” Stella breathed, still reeling. Nina could barely hide her satisfied smile. Stella was an unstoppable gossip; this news would travel fast. Nina would bet she wouldn’t last five minutes before telling someone.
The chain reaction would start—country clubs, charity luncheons, exclusive galas. Frank and Vivian would become the scandal of the season. Perfect.
“I knew something was off,” Stella muttered, shaking her head.“I told Alyssa—you know, Bloom’s wife—that it couldn’t be true. I’ve spent so much time with you. You’re normal, reasonable. But this? I never imagined it! I thought the tabloids were lying!”
Nina stepped a little closer, pretending to check if anyone was listening.
“My husband turned out to be dangerous, Stella. You have no idea how much. Those two weeks I was gone…” She swallowed, sighed dramatically, coaxed out a small tear.“He had me committed. Wanted to show me what would happen if I dared stand up to him again or refused the divorce. I’m honestly afraid to go home now. I don’t know what he’ll do next. Twenty years together—and then some barely-out-of-college little bitch twists his mind so hard he turns into a monster. I don’t know how she got into his head. We have a daughter, Stella. And he still did this. So if you ever see them somewhere—him and Vivian—stay away. She’ll smile to your face and stab you in the back.”
Stella’s eyes grew even bigger. She put a hand on Nina’s shoulder.
“You hang in there, Nina. If you need anything—anything at all—call me. I’ll support you. Ugh, I got dirt on my sleeve—let me wash up. Be right back! And you… stay strong!” She raised her fist like they were comrades in arms, then rushed off.
Nina smiled to herself. Well, that didn’t even take five minutes.
Stella would have burst if she hadn't shared this immediately.
Perfect. Absolutely perfect.
