The Regretful Housewife: Divorce and Rise Again novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4 Chase, You’re Such A Hypocrite

At Nina’s response, Chase scoffed, “Nina, drop the spoiled rich-girl act. I know you look down on my family—we’re clearly beneath you. If you don’t want to marry me, just say it!”
“Chase! What on earth are you talking about?”
Cecilia slapped his arm in anger.
Their family was on the decline. Without the Tanns, how could she and Chase ever rebuild the Mercer legacy?
If the company went bankrupt, they’d have nothing left.
“Mom, don’t stop me. I’m telling the truth!”
Chase didn’t bother hiding his frustration.
Just as expected, Marvin and Esther’s expressions darkened.
They’d maintained polite smiles earlier, but now they could barely force one.
So that was how Chase saw their daughter all along.
Nina had always been gentle, never throwing tantrums like a spoiled rich girl. She’d devoted herself to Chase and the Mercer family, willing to marry down without ever looking down on them.
Yet Chase had insulted her right in front of them.
Marvin said coldly, “Since your son has no interest in marrying my daughter, I think we should call off this engagement.”
“Marvin, please don’t be upset—Chase doesn’t know what he’s saying. I’ll make him apologize to Nina. Besides… Nina has always cared for Chase, right? The two of you must have just had a fight. Nina, isn’t that right?”
Cecilia looked at Nina desperately, but Nina only spoke calmly.
“Mrs. Mercer, you’re wrong. Chase and I were just childhood friends. Outside the hotel just now, Chase told me he doesn’t like me and will never marry me. I feel the same way. That’s why I’m here to make it clear—I want to end the engagement with Chase.”
“What?”
Cecilia froze in shock. Chase stood completely dumbfounded.
Nina had always had a crush on him, going out of her way to talk to him. He’d known that for years. How could she suddenly want to break off the engagement?
Marvin and Esther were also stunned.
Their daughter had always been stubborn. They’d begged her not to marry into the Mercer family, but she’d refused to listen. Why had she changed her mind now?
“Mrs. Mercer, we won’t stay for dinner. Our families should keep our distance from now on.”
With that, Nina stood up and walked to her parents. “Mom, Dad, let’s go.”
Looking at her parents sitting across from her, Nina’s eyes stung.
In her past life, her stubbornness to marry Chase had led the Tann family to ruin at his hands.
Chase was nothing but an ungrateful traitor. Her parents had done so much for the Mercer family, but once Chase gained power, he destroyed Tann Group first.
Chase was arrogant and narrow-minded. He’d always believed her parents had married her to him out of pity, humiliating him and his family.
The moment he gained power, he’d erased the Tanns to wash away what he called his shame.
A man like him didn’t deserve the Tanns’ help at all.
As Nina left the private room with her parents, Cecilia slapped Chase across the face.
“What are you waiting for? Go after them! If Nina doesn’t marry you, we’ll be living on the streets!”
Chase finally snapped back to his senses. He rushed out of the room and called after Nina.
“Nina!”
He reached for her arm, but Marvin snapped, “Chase! You’re the one who didn’t want her! What do you want with my daughter now?”
Chase was filled with anger, but he forced himself to calm down.
“Mr. Tann, I just need to speak to Nina for a minute.”
Seeing her father’s anger, Nina said, “Dad, it’s okay. I’ll talk to him. Wait for me in the car.”
Marvin and Esther stared at Nina, worried she’d soften her heart.
Nina gave them a reassuring look, and they finally got back into the car.
Nina turned to Chase and asked, “What do you want to say?”
The hotel lobby was crowded, so Chase awkwardly pulled her toward a corner.
“About the engagement—was that just you being angry, or are you serious?”
“I’m completely serious.”
Nina looked at him directly, no trace of affection or longing in her eyes.
Chase frowned and said, “Is it because of what I said today? Or because I saved Katrina instead of you at the pool?”
Nina grew tired of his persistence. She said, “I don’t love you, and I don’t want to marry you. Is that clear enough?”
The moment he heard that, Chase suddenly snapped, “Nina, what the hell is with that attitude?”
“Chase, you’re the one who said you wouldn’t marry me. Now you’re chasing after me. Is it because you know the Mercer family will go bankrupt without me?
“You keep saying I look down on the Mercers, but the one who’s truly ashamed of your family is you! You said you want to end the engagement, but you still need the Tanns to survive. You love the attention and help, but you act like you hate it.
“Chase, you’re such a hypocrite!”
“You!”
Nina’s cold disdain cut through him like a knife, seeing straight into his darkest thoughts.
Chase’s face turned red with rage. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Fine, Nina! You said it yourself—don’t you dare regret it!”
He turned to leave in anger, then suddenly paused and glanced back.
“Look at you. Even if you threw yourself at me, I still wouldn’t want you.”
Nina frowned at his insult.
“Stop right there!”
Chase stopped and turned, sneering, “What? Regretting it already?”
Nina sneered back and threw her drink directly into his face.
“Ugh! You b*stard!”
Chase froze. Nina didn’t even spare him a second glance before walking out of the lobby.
Watching her retreating back, Chase ground his teeth so hard he thought they’d break.
“Nina Tann!”
Outside the hotel, Marvin and Esther had waited by the car instead of going inside. They relaxed when they saw their daughter returning safely.
Esther asked, “Nina, you don’t regret it, do you?”
Nina shook her head and looked at her father. “Dad, are you still financially supporting the Mercer family?”