Chapter 29
#Scandal: Socialite Seduces a Married Man
#So this is what high society is really like @Nina!
“I knew it! She’s barely out of college, but she struts around like she owns the place. I honestly thought she was talented or something, but she’s just shameless.“)
“Have you seen those over–the–top posts on her account? If you didn’t know better, you’d think she was some billionaire’s daughter. Turns out, she’s just a homewrecker.”
“Wasn’t it just the other day she called out that Riverdale heiress on her livestream? Said her fancy mansion was just a rental. Who cares if it’s rented? If someone let me play high society with a rented place, I’d take it. At least I’m not out here stealing other people’s husbands.“!
The comments section was a nonstop flood of insults and hate.
Nina sat curled on the couch, gripping her phone so tightly her knuckles were white, chest heaving with frustration. Across the room, the housekeeper hovered nearby, worried but not daring to get too close. The staff could only exchange anxious looks, trying to figure out what disaster had hit.
At seven sharp, a car pulled up outside. The sound broke the tense silence. Nina craned her neck to look, then jumped up, ready to bolt for the door-
Joseph caught her by the arm, holding her back.
“Are you crazy?”
She stared at him, blinking: “What are you doing?“}
“Have you forgotten about the paparazzi lurking outside? You really want to walk right into their cameras?“}
He let go, but his tone was cold. “Use your brain, Nina. As long as Theo and Patricia are still married, you’re just the other woman.“)
The words felt like a slap. “Everyone else calls me that, and now you do too? All I did was fall in love. What did I do wrong?“!
Joseph’s jaw tightened. “You’re missing the point. I’m saying, as long as Theo’s married, you’re always going to be the side chick.”
Theo was the kind of guy everyone wanted. The Miller family, the Newtons–everyone was trying to get close to him while his star was rising.B
Suddenly, a choked, desperate sob filled the room, right as Theo stepped in from the garage.}
He appeared at the top of the stairs, pausing as Joseph stood up and shot him a look that said, finally.
Thank God you’re here. She’s been crying all night. I swear, my head can’t take much more.”
Hearing that, Nina’s crying faltered. Before she could recover, Joseph motioned for everyone else to leave.
Theo strode over, hand outstretched. “Give me your phone.“”
Nina, sull sniffling, handed it over. Theo glanced down, tapped away for a minute, and then gave it back. Her account–over two million followers–just gone. Deleted.
Nina stared, stunned.%
“I’ve got the online mess under control for now,” Theo said, his voice cold and steady. “Don’t post anything for a while. Keep your head down ”
Nina was still in shock, but then she scrambled to her knees on the couch, threw her arms around his waist, and buried her face against him, sobbing even harder!
“Theo, I don’t want to be the other woman Please, just give me a chance”
She looked up at him, eyes red and shining, like a lost little rabbit–the same look she’d had that morning he first woke up beside her.
Theo sighed and gently pushed her back onto the couch “Nina, you’re still so young “N
“I’m twenty. Theo. I’m not a kid ”
He closed his eyes for a moment. “I’m not getting a divorce.“)
“Then what about me? What am I supposed to do? We’ve already been together. Even your housekeeper and your grandma like me. If you just left Patricia, we could be together for realTM1⁄2
“Is it because she won’t let go? i’t talk to her–t’ll beg her if I have to. If it means being with you, I’ll get down on my knees “N
All Nina could see was him. She looked up, hopeful and desperate, her whole world in her eyes.
Chapter 29
Compared to Patricia’s steel and sharpness. Nina was all gentle softness–something rare in Theo’s world.
For a heartbeat. Theo hesitated, guilt flickering across his face
He sighed
Just as he opened his mouth to say something. Nina pressed her trembling lips to the edge of his shirt
Theo shivered, suddenly remembering what a business partner had said over drinks
“Girts these days–they’re wild and fearless, like the first shoots of spring breaking through the ground. Impossible to resist.“%
