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 a vicious 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 for Robert 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 let Vivian 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.
“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.
Frank’s reputation needed to crumble as fast as possible.