The Regretful Housewife: Divorce and Rise Again novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1 Reborn

“Ewan… Ivy…”
Inside a stifling psychiatric ward, a gaunt woman sat motionless in a wheelchair. Her eyes were hollow and sunken, and though she was only in her mid-thirties, her hair had turned completely white.
The television blared news of the Mercer Group CEO marrying his first love. Chase Mercer was giving Katrina Sawyer the grandest wedding imaginable.
At the sight, the woman shot up from her wheelchair, screaming wildly, “Give me back my children! Chase! Give them back!”
Slap!
A fat female nurse struck Nina Tann hard across the face. “Behave yourself!”
Nina clutched her cheek but lifted her head defiantly. “I’m Chase’s legal wife! The Tann family’s daughter! Let me out—I need to find my children!”
At that, the nurse spat in her face. “Spare me! Look at yourself—how dare you call yourself Mrs. Mercer? Stay quiet, or I’ll put you in solitary!”
Bang!
The nurse locked the ward door.
On the live broadcast, Chase gazed at Katrina with unmistakable affection. Time had barely touched his face; at forty, he only looked colder and more mature.
Reporters narrated the touching tale of their campus romance and tragic separation. After 20 years apart, they’d finally reunited, bringing tears to friends and family alike.
Watching those familiar faces on screen, Nina let out a bitter, hollow laugh from her wheelchair.
No one remembered her. No one remembered the loyal wife who’d helped Chase rise to the top.
Nina could still vividly recall that night three years prior. Chase had thrown the divorce papers in her face, his voice dripping with contempt. “I’ve always loved Katrina! If it weren’t for you, I never would’ve lost her all those years!”
They’d been childhood sweethearts, engaged since they were young. She’d spent her family fortune for him, borne his children, and abandoned the academic career she’d once been so proud of.
Chase had climbed to success on her back—only to turn around and hold Katrina in his arms.
What had she gotten in return? Locked away in this psychiatric hospital for three whole years. Her son and daughter had died in a car crash; before their funeral was even over, Chase had rushed to marry Katrina.
“Nina, don’t you know? To marry me, Chase killed your two children with his own hands.
“Your daughter was crying for Mommy when she died. They never knew you’d been locked up here for three years.
“The title of Mrs. Mercer was always mine. You stole it from me. Now it’s time you gave it back.”
Katrina’s words from three days earlier echoed in her ears.
Nina felt a sweet, metallic taste rise in her throat. Her eyes remained fixed on the screen, where Chase and Katrina shared a loving smile.
If she could live her life again, she would never make the same mistakes.
“Nina? Nina?”
A deep teenage voice sounded beside her.
In a haze, Nina felt as if she were drowning, her chest crushed by pressure. Then something soft pressed against her lips, and a warm flow rushed down her throat. Nina’s eyes flew open.
Cough—cough!
“Nina, are you okay? How did you fall into the pool out of nowhere?”
A girl’s concerned voice drifted in her ears.
Nina was utterly confused.
Pool?
What pool?
She looked down at her hands. They were not the aged, bloated hands of a middle-aged woman—they were soft, fair, youthful hands.
This was… her high school self?
In an instant, realization hit. She immediately looked around, and sure enough, this was the swimming hall of Linholt High School!
She’d been reborn!
“Why else would she fall in? She was probably spying on Chase while he swam!”
Several nearby girls laughed loudly, not bothering to hide their disdain for Nina.
Not far away, Chase wore nothing but swim trunks. At only seventeen, his body was already well-developed, with defined muscles and a faint v-line. His sharp, handsome face drew stares from everyone around him.
At the sight of Chase, Nina’s face paled.
Chase!
He was just as he’d always been—the center of attention wherever he went.
Who could have guessed that this golden boy was nothing but a hypocritical, selfish monster beneath it all?
Thinking of her children, killed by him in her past life, Nina clenched her fists so hard they shook.
Fine then, Chase. This time, I’m going to ruin you.
Chase clearly overheard the girls’ comments. He frowned in annoyance and turned away.
“Don’t say that. Nina isn’t like that,” Katrina said, looking upset.
The moment she saw that it was Katrina, Nina’s mind flashed with images from her previous life.
Back in high school, she’d gained weight and grown insecure and timid. People at school looked at her strangely, and only Katrina had seemed friendly, always defending her in public.
With her pure, delicate features, Katrina was extremely popular—everyone wanted to be close to her.
At the time, Nina had truly believed Katrina was kind. She’d had no idea it was all just a scheme to get closer to Chase.
And the reason Katrina had targeted her? Simple—she was Chase’s childhood sweetheart.
In her past life, Katrina had built herself up at school as gentle and kind, and Nina had been nothing but a prop Katrina used to sell that image.
Now Katrina was using the same trick again. She gently placed her hand on Nina’s. “Nina, did you come to the pool to lose weight?”
As expected, the crowd burst into laughter at Katrina’s “kind” defense.
“Look how fat she is! Even if she swims nonstop, Chase still won’t spare her a second glance!”
Katrina’s face flushed with fake frustration. She pulled Nina up in mock defiance. “Nina, ignore them. I’ll teach you to swim. You’ll be beautiful when you lose weight, and Chase will definitely like you!”
Hearing that, Nina quietly pulled her hand away. Katrina’s smile froze instantly.
Nina hadn’t forgotten—this was exactly how Katrina had humiliated her in front of everyone in her past life.
“No thanks,” Nina said coldly.
Katrina refused to back down, grabbing Nina’s arm and speaking in a wounded tone, “Nina, what’s wrong? Did I say something to upset you?”
“Nina, Katrina’s being nice to you. How can you be so ungrateful?”
“Katrina took such good care of you before and always spoke up for you. Honestly, you deserve to stay fat forever!”
“Come on, Katrina, let’s leave her. She can swim if she wants, or not.”
Several girls stepped forward to pull Katrina away.
Nina watched coldly as they fawned over her. Katrina’s popularity at school wasn’t just because of her looks, personality, or good grades—it was also her family name.
This was Linholt’s most exclusive private high school, attended only by the children of wealthy families. Katrina’s last name was Sawyer, so everyone assumed she was the daughter of the Sawyer family, Linholt’s biggest real estate tycoon.
But none of them knew that Katrina was no wealthy heiress. She was just the daughter of the Sawyer family’s chauffeur. Just a coincidence that they happened to share the same last name.
Nina had only found out in her past life that the real Sawyer heiress was someone else. Katrina had used her good grades and connections to the Sawyer family to take her place at school.
The real Sawyer heiress had been studying abroad for years. Nina remembered her name: Katherine Sawyer.
In the next second, Nina suddenly stepped forward and took Katrina’s hand, pretending to be apologetic. “Kitty, I was being moody just now. I’m really sorry.”