Breaking Barbie

Chapter 5 The Good Wife

At Bluebell Manor, at ten in the morning, warm sunlight poured over the elegantly styled furniture while a gentle breeze made the white curtains dance like a ballet dancer's skirt, bringing happiness to the entire space.

This only made Nina, sprawled on the sofa, appear more lifeless, like a patient.

Just an hour ago, she had naively called Fred, hoping to communicate with him, thinking that he wouldn't be angry anymore after a few days. But the reality was...

"I'm not allowing you to go out. Given your reckless request for a divorce, I can't trust you to just go shopping and not disappear again."

"It is illegal. I'll call the police."

"Thanks for the reminder. After this, you won't be able to make any calls."

She was at a loss for words.

"Nothing to say? Then remember not to have breakfast when you wake up next Monday, and don't drink any water. I'll come by to take you for your prenatal checkup."

This was the result of her five days of compliance and endurance.

Nina stared at the floor, repeatedly counting the rays of sunlight. The boundary between light and shadow on the floor had retreated two squares in just an hour, meaning it would be completely gone by around four o'clock this afternoon.

'But what about me? I am imprisoned.'

"Madam, Mrs. Blade just called and would like to visit you to apologize."

"Uh?"

Nina looked up at the servant standing in the doorway, momentarily taken aback.

"Am I not a prisoner now?" she asked. "Can I still see guests?"

"Mr. Rosenthal just doesn't allow you to go out."

"Oh, whatever." Nina looked back down to count the sunlight.

"Shall I tell her to come at three this afternoon? What do you think?"

"Whatever."

Nina didn't want to say another word. Lily Blade was the woman who had suddenly congratulated her at the celebration party that night.

Just when she was a step away from freedom, Lily had ruined her future with a single remark.

She was lost in silence.

If the meeting at three in the afternoon had been a few weeks ago, Nina would have started preparing two or three hours in advance. She would have done her makeup, chosen her outfit, instructed the servants to prepare coffee and snacks, and arranged the sitting room. Everything would have been meticulously organized, and even the topics of conversation would have been prepped.

But now, after lunch, Nina slept until three, brushed her hair, changed into a comfortable outfit, and walked into the sitting room.

"Oh my gosh! Darling, are you unwell? This is all my fault!"

The elegant and refined Lily exclaimed as she rushed towards Nina, taking her hand.

It was the first time Lily had seen Nina without makeup. The unadorned beauty looked so vulnerable and lovable that one couldn't help but want to bring her the best things in the world just to see her smile.

Filled with guilt, Lily pointed to the beautifully wrapped gift box on the coffee table and explained, "I brought you some pregnancy care books. They worked wonders for me, and I hope they can help you. I feel terrible. I was so thoughtless that night, and it caused you so much distress."

"You don't need to do this." Nina opened her arms to embrace the plump Lily. "I know you meant well. Just sit. Let's chat."

"I'm so glad you can forgive me."

"It's really not your fault. I'm just a bit curious. We haven't seen each other lately, so how did you hear about my pregnancy?"

"Oh! That night at the party, after I touched up my makeup, I overheard Leslie and the others talking about it. Everyone was so happy for you."

"Is that so?" Nina inwardly mocked her own naivety.

She had been tangled in thoughts about how the news leaked, only to discover it had become common knowledge that very night. She then realized there were no secrets in high society, especially not about trivial matters.

She had tested for pregnancy at home twice and hadn't bothered to hide the trash. She believed the servant saw it and casually mentioned it to others. There was nothing unusual about that.

'So Fred was bound to find out. Am I doomed to be trapped here?'

"Darling, what's wrong?"

Nina snapped back to reality, meeting Lily's concerned gaze.

"Maybe you should see a therapist. Pregnancy can be really tough on women. Pregnant women are completely at the mercy of the hormones in their bodies, so feeling emotional highs and lows is completely normal."

"You're right."

"It's such a lovely day. How about we take a stroll in the garden? I read somewhere that the original owner of this estate was an exiled Firathy noble. He was a classical painter with exquisite taste, and he designed the garden himself. Have you made any changes?"

"No."

Nina managed a weak smile as she led Lily towards the garden.

In the elegant and tranquil Firathy-style courtyard, they sat on a bench beneath the shade of a tree.

"I was like a madwoman that night, wasn't I?" Nina spoke first.

"Um, you're a good wife. No one believed those angry words. After you left, everyone was concerned about you."

"No one believed my words even after Sebastian showed up?"

"Of course." Lily scoffed lightly. "He's nothing but a playboy, switching girlfriends more often than he changes his phone. You two are from completely different worlds. He's just bored and looking for some excitement to grab attention."

"A good wife."

Nina tilted her head back, staring at the distant blue sky and white clouds, which did nothing to alleviate her suffocating feelings.