The Regretful Housewife: Divorce and Rise Again novel Chapter 2

2 I Don’t Want Your Engagement Anymore

The second Katrina heard the name “Kitty,” her face froze completely.
The others nearby exchanged confused glances. “Kitty? She only goes by Trina. Nina, are you high or something?”
Katrina’s heart leaped into her throat.
Nina watched Katrina’s panicked expression and said deliberately, “But I heard that’s what the Sawyer family calls their heiress. Don’t you like it, Katrina?”
Relief washed over Katrina when she realized Nina didn’t know she was an impostor.
She replied, “…I just prefer Trina. Kitty is… for home.”
She’d only gotten into Linholt High School because her father, who’d worked as the Sawyer family’s chauffeur for decades, had begged Katherine’s father for a spot. Since Katherine was studying abroad, the extra place had fallen to her.
From her first day at Linholt High, everyone had mistaken her for the wealthy Sawyer heiress. Now a sophomore, no one had ever found out the truth.
A flicker of doubt crossed Katrina’s eyes. How on earth does Nina know that “Kitty” is what the Sawyer family calls their heiress? But then again… she doesn’t seem to know anything about Katherine. If she exposes me right now, I’m completely screwed. God, this is honestly a little creepy.
Katrina spoke in her usual soft, gentle voice, “Nina, I know you were upset earlier. I don’t blame you.”
Nina looked at her with a pitiful expression. “Will you still teach me to swim?”
“Of course I will.”
Katrina acted as if they’d made up completely.
Nina smirked inwardly.
Katrina always loved playing the kind heroine in front of others. Nina had known she would agree to teach her.
In her past life, Katrina had tricked her. Once in the water, Nina had panicked because she couldn’t swim, making a fool of herself in front of everyone.
Katrina had then purposely pushed her under the water, before pretending to save her but getting a cramp herself—letting Chase play the hero. That incident had made Chase and Katrina grow much closer.
This time, Nina wasn’t going to let Katrina get her way so easily.
Soon, Katrina patiently showed Nina how to warm up, and then they both got into the pool.
Looking at the pool in front of her, Nina loosened up her limbs a little and pretended she didn’t know how to swim. Katrina stood beside her, teaching her to hold her breath and float.
Everything was just like her past life—until Katrina tried to push her under. Nina suddenly grabbed Katrina’s hand instead.
They were both in the deep water, and no one by the pool was paying attention. Nina gave a sharp tug, and Katrina let out a scream before falling clumsily back into the pool.
“Katrina! I’ll save you!”
Nina pretended to panic and dove after her, but soon started flailing around on the surface, acting like she couldn’t swim. Katrina had been about to float to safety when Nina kicked her back under.
“Help! Something’s wrong! Nina and Katrina fell in!”
People around them shouted, and a figure immediately jumped into the pool.
Chase moved through the water like a fish. Without thinking, he swam straight toward Katrina and quickly carried her to the edge.
Cough—cough!
Katrina choked on water and spit out two big mouthfuls, her light makeup smudged and her appearance completely ruined.
Chase frowned deeply and asked in a low voice, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine…”
Katrina was about to say more when someone shouted, “Chase! Nina’s still in the water!”
Chase snapped back to his senses.
When he saw that Nina, who couldn’t swim, was still drowning, he frowned and prepared to jump in—until another figure suddenly dove into the pool.
Although Nina was only pretending, her body was overweight, and the flailing had almost exhausted her.
Suddenly, she felt strong arms lift her up.
Nina froze. She turned her head and saw a perfect jawline, soft pink lips, a straight nose, and narrow eyes with long, curled lashes. His cold, brooding face looked like a masterpiece.
Jensen Mercer?
Why was he saving her?
In her past life, she’d barely spoken to Jensen. He and Chase had always been bitter enemies.
She remembered that right now, Jensen was still the Mercer family’s shameful illegitimate son, while Chase was the official heir. Because of that, Jensen was heavily bullied at school.
But who could have guessed that this quiet, gloomy teenager would later be revealed as the eldest son of the Grey family—the most powerful business tycoons in Halmont?
After recovering from her shock, Nina was gently set down on the poolside by Jensen.
Chase immediately snapped at her without hesitation, “Nina, if you can’t swim, don’t show off!”
“Chase, it’s okay…” Katrina said, her face full of fake hurt.
Nina saw that Katrina was about to blame her for the fall, just like in her past life. She rushed forward and hugged Katrina tightly. “Katrina, thank god you’re okay! You scared me to death!”
“I-I’m fine…”
Katrina was caught off guard by the sudden hug, and the excuses she’d prepared died on her lips.
Very soon, Nina let her go and said in a wounded voice, “I don’t know how to swim at all. I accidentally pulled you and made you lose your balance. I feel terrible. But Katrina, please don’t suddenly push my waist under the water next time. It scares me.”
Katrina’s smile vanished completely.
For a beginner, having someone suddenly push your waist underwater was practically attempted murder.
Everyone immediately turned to look at Katrina with strange expressions. Even Chase frowned slightly.
Katrina quickly said, “It’s my fault, I wasn’t careful… I’m so sorry, Nina. I almost got you hurt.”
Chase’s heart melted completely when he saw the beautiful Katrina tearful and remorseful.
He didn’t even stop to wonder if she’d done it on purpose.
“Don’t apologize to her. She brought this on herself.” Chase pulled Katrina to his side and said coldly to Nina, “If you can’t swim, don’t bother other people.”
“Chase…”
“I’ll take you to the infirmary.”
Chase protected Katrina like she was something precious.
Nina smiled bitterly at the scene.
They’d been childhood sweethearts, yet Chase always took Katrina’s side without question—even though he’d only known her for a year.
Nina, you were so blind in your past life. You wasted your entire life on a man like him.
Thankfully, heaven has given me a second chance to make things right.
Chase, this life, I don’t want your engagement anymore.