The Regretful Housewife: Divorce and Rise Again novel Chapter 10

Chapter 10 Nina Brings Jensen Home

Chapter 10 Nina Brings Jensen Home

“Get in.”

The driver opened the door for Jensen.

Jensen climbed in stiffly, and Nina followed closely behind.

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Seeing his uneasy expression, Nina said, “Don’t be nervous. My parents are really nice–they just dislike Chase.”

Jensen didn’t reply.

The driver stole a few extra glances at Jensen, though.

Nina had ended things with the Mercer family so badly not long ago. Why was she suddenly so close to the Mercer family’s illegitimate son?

Soon, the car pulled up to the Tann Villa.

The moment Nina and Jensen stepped inside, the smell of dinner drifted down the hallway.

Nina said, “Let’s eat first. You need energy to work out.”

“I don’t need to-”

“Nina! Hurry and change shoes for dinner!”

Esther’s voice cut off Jensen’s long–prepared refusal.

When Esther reached the foyer, she saw Jensen standing beside Nina.

“Jensen?”

She’d seen Jensen a few times at the Tann house before and recognized him.

Marvin came down from the second floor, frowning at the sight of Jensen with his daughter.

Hadn’t their daughter hated everyone from the Mercer family?

Why was she with Jensen now?

“Mom, Dad, Jensen’s helping me lose weight. Set an extra plate for him every night from now on.”

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14:27 Tue, May 5

Chapter 10 Nina Brings Jensen Home

Nina spoke casually, leaving Jensen no room to refuse.

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She knew the school pool closed on schedule–Linholt High ended at 6:30 PM, right at dinner time.

If Jensen stayed to help her work out every day, he wouldn’t get back to the Mercers‘ until nearly nine. She highly doubted Cecilia would save him any food.

Marvin and Esther exchanged a look.

Despite their dislike for the Mercers, they politely invited Jensen to change shoes and join them for dinner.

In the living room, the table was set with a hearty dinner–three meat dishes and three vegetable sides, plus a bowl of soup.

Nina, who was dieting, only ate shrimp and broccoli.

Seeing how thin Jensen was, Esther kindly heaped more food onto his plate.

“Eat slowly. There’s more if you need.”

Esther sat across from him.

“Thank

you, Mrs. Tann…”

Jensen had always been quiet and reserved, something Marvin and Esther had noticed for

years.

When Chase and Nina played together as kids, Jensen would stay far away, too afraid to speak. He’d grown up

withdrawn.

Now, years later, Jensen was over six feet tall–thin, but much taller than most boys his age.

Jensen finished every bite of his meal and silently stood up to wash the dishes.

Nina immediately set down her fork and called into the kitchen, “Maggie! The dishes!”

Maggie hurried over and took the dishes from Jensen’s hands. “Mr. Mercer, let me take care of those.”

Jensen opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Nina pulled Jensen toward the backyard pool.

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14:27 Tue, May 5

Chapter 10 Nina Brings Jensen Home

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Marvin and Esther were completely confused. This was the first time their daughter had ever brought a boy home.

Was it really just for exercise?

The Tanns were famous wealthy businessmen in Linholt, though they kept a low profile. Their villa had every luxury.

Jensen stared at the pool, which was as big as the school’s, and was genuinely surprised.

Even the Mercer family didn’t have a pool this size.

Just then, Nina came out in a swimsuit–the standard school one, very modest.

“Here you go.”

Jensen handed Nina a weight–loss plan. He’d put together a detailed schedule during break based on her body type. If she followed it strictly, she could lose 20 pounds in a month.

They were sophomores now, with heavy coursework and the upcoming fitness test. The school already kept them active. If Nina stuck with it, she might drop back to 140 pounds by the end of the semester.

“You made this so quickly?”

Nina was shocked. The plan was extremely detailed–what she should eat each day, how much water to drink, exactly how long to exercise.

Jensen said, “You can’t lose weight just by starving yourself. You ate too little tonight. Eat more cucumbers and tomatoes, things like melon and corn. But don’t eat until you’re full–always go to bed a little hungry.”

Nina nodded, half–understanding.

Seeing her confused look, Jensen paused. “I’ll watch you every day. You don’t have to understand it all perfectly.”

Nina nodded vigorously.

In the corner, Marvin and Esther peeked out, watching Jensen supervise Nina by the pool. They barely spoke a word to each other.

Esther whispered, “What’s going on? Is he really just here to help her work out?”

“Nina has been working out like crazy these days. Why does she need Jensen to help?” Marvin

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Chapter 10 Nina Brings Jensen Home

scratched his head.

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“Do you think Nina moved on? She doesn’t like Chase anymore–she likes Jensen now?”

“Those two boys are way too good–looking, just seducing our daughter!”

The couple whispered back and forth, completely unaware that Nina and Jensen had noticed them.

Nina poked her head out of the pool. “Mom, Dad, what are you doing?”

Hearing their daughter’s voice, Marvin and Esther quickly stepped out from the corner.

“W–We brought you some fruit. For when you get tired from swimming.”

“Yes! If swimming gets boring, you can use the gym on the second floor–lots of equipment.”

Marvin and Esther smiled awkwardly.

Nina immediately saw that her parents had the wrong idea. Jensen was sharp too; he sensed their misunderstanding, looked away, and his ears turned pink.

Nina climbed out of the pool, took the fruit from her mother, and said, “Thanks, Mom. Now go inside! Stop watching!”

Esther protested, “Silly girl, we’re just helping!”

“I don’t need your help!”

Nina gently pushed her parents away, then turned to Jensen. “Shall we… keep going?”

She acted casual as she resumed swimming, but she was embarrassed.

Originally, she’d only wanted to get on Jensen’s good side–after all, he would later regain his identity as the heir to the Grey family, the powerful business group in Halmont. He’d also saved her life, and she couldn’t bear to watch him suffer at the hands of Cecilia and Chase any longer.

How had it turned into her parents thinking she had a crush on him?

What was Jensen supposed to think?

Sure enough, when Nina lifted her head out of the water, she met Jensen’s deep, steady gaze.

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