Breaking Barbie

"Living in a penthouse at the Crimson Building doesn't mean a thing. The only difference between you and the vase is that you can talk. You're just a replica of your drunk mother! The only thing you two excel at is ruining everything!" In the single restroom of the Silver Hotel, Nina stared at her reflection, her hair elegantly styled, adorned with extravagant jewelry, repeating the two lines in her mind. One was from her husband's current mistress, the other from her father. 'A mere vase.' As Nina gazed into the mirror, she couldn't help but imagine shedding everything, stripping away all the price-tagged items, and running naked from the ballroom into the streets. A wild rush of exhilaration coursed through her. 'But ruining everything...' Her father's rage echoed in her mind. 'Am I really going to destroy this marriage? Was my father right all along?' Nina bit her lip, her hand resting on her belly... Time was running out. Whether she was about to ruin her marriage, be seen as a foolish woman, or continue enduring life as a mere vase, she needed to find an answer before she crumbled. Tonight was the perfect opportunity. The celebration of the state senator's election victory and her husband Fred Rosenthal, as the senator's closest friend, was one of the focal points. Fred, a towering presence like a steel sculpture, only appeared to hear his wife when the eyes of the world were upon him. Nina set her jaw and stepped out of the restroom with determination. "Mrs. Rosenthal, may I invite you to my birthday party next month?" "Mrs. Rosenthal, you look absolutely radiant." Nina maintained her perfect smile, gliding through the compliments before reaching her husband, gracefully linking her arm with his, addressing the crowd, "Excuse me, gentlemen, I need to borrow Fred for a moment." Surrounded by admirers, Fred showed no sign of annoyance as she effortlessly led him to a small terrace. "What's up?" Fred asked. "Do you love Natalie?" Nina was referring to the woman Fred kept in a hotel suite who openly mocked her as just a piece of vase. "Waste of time." Fred started to walk away. "Let's get a divorce. That's not wasting time." Fred paused. For the first time, he looked at her for more than five seconds without needing s*x. He looked at her in shock. "I'm serious. I know exactly what I'm saying." Nina clenched her teeth to suppress her trembling. Fred stepped closer, towering over her at 6.2 feet, his mockery palpable. "Look at what you're wearing, nothing under two thousand dollars. Divorce? I promise you won't get a dime." Nina looked into his eyes and kicked off her heels, feeling the cold marble beneath her bare feet. "You can strip me and throw me out right now." "Fine. Then why did you ask me if I love Natalie?" Fred crossed his arms, looking surprisingly patient. "Just wanted to know if you have any feelings left." Fred remained still, his eyes icy. Not getting a response, she switched tactics. "Do you treat Natalie like you treat me?" "I don't understand why you're fixated on her. You're a Rosenthal. She's just a fling." "Then let's talk about me. What about this marriage makes you unhappy?" "Right now, you are." "Okay, how can I improve?" "Put on your shoes, come inside, and stop being so neurotic." Nina clenched her toes, feeling ridiculous. The marble beneath her feet felt warm from her, but he... "I cheated and want a divorce." Nina declared with conviction. "Who?!" Fred roared like an angry lion, gripping Nina's neck and pushing her against the terrace wall. Nina smiled calmly. "The security guard on the first floor, the police patrolling across the street, the hot dog vendor... I have so many options, guess one." "You're insane!" Nina trembled, realizing the suffocating reality. She would always remember her father's scornful words about her mother being a crazy woman. She refused to become that! "Yeah." Nina laughed. "Your wife has mental issues. You'll be humiliated because of it. Divorce would be so much simpler." "Fine." Fred released her, adjusting his cuff. "But you won't take a single penny from me." "Alright." "You can't take away anything in the house as long as you didn't earn it." "Deal." "Including all health and social insurance." "You won't see a dollar withdrawn from your account." "Tomorrow at one PM, wait for the lawyer at home." Fred shot Nina a cold glance before turning away. Nina touched her neck, letting her hair down, rearranging it, and slipping back into her heels. 'Just hold on a little longer tonight, and I'll be free tomorrow afternoon.' With this thought, she returned to the ballroom. "Oh! Darling!" Lost in her victory, Nina hadn't even seen who it was before being swept into a warm embrace. The scent of this woman's perfume almost made her gag. "Sweetheart, when are you throwing the baby gender reveal party? I can't wait to pick out gifts for you!" ***** The loud woman drew too much attention, and Nina glanced at her husband, her heart sinking. "Oh my! Congratulations!" "Wow! Fred's going to be a dad!" The chorus of congratulations blocked all of Nina's escape routes. She watched helplessly as Fred, beaming with joy, accepted the congratulations while walking towards her... "Shut up!" Nina yelled, her voice rising above the chatter. "This has nothing to do with Fred! The baby isn't his! I cheated! We'll be divorcing soon!" At the celebration of the state senator's election victory, Fred Rosenthal's wife publicly declared her infidelity, plunging the room into stunned silence.