Julian’s Stand-In Wife

Early the next morning, Nina decided to set aside her work. She left home promptly to check on Diana and her two children.
Lately, due to her involvement with Vans, Nina felt guilty. Not only had she caused the pregnant Diana undue stress, but she had
also indirectly endangered her during the incident in Jacroaof.
And now, with Sean back home, Nina felt that she was becoming more incompetent as a godmother.
Compelled by her guilt, Nina didn’t hold back while shopping for supplies. By the time she exited the supermarket, an hour had
already slipped by.
With her hands full, she struggled to find a taxi driver willing to accommodate her and her purchases. Only after offering extra
money did a driver finally agree to take her.
As she pondered her recent experiences, Nina considered it might be time for her to purchase a car.
She had been working for many years and had a bit of a career. She had no plans to leave Richburgh, and she was alone in the
city.
In the future...
She didn’t know how long she’d be stuck with Vans in this situation.
The dream she once held of settling down with someone she loved, marrying early, and leading a simple life seemed
increasingly distant.
She didn’t know why she was so insistent on being involved with Vans.
When Vans had asked her if she’d be willing to wait for him, even knowing he was about to marry someone else, she agreed.
She realized that by consenting, she was agreeing to be his secret lover-a role she never thought she’d assume.
But still, she...
She chose a path that she would have despised in the past, and became a person she hated the most.
Such thoughts weighed heavily on her heart, making her despondent. Her smiles had become increasingly scarce lately. The
sympathetic taxi driver, noticing the tears streaming down her face, kindly offered her some tissues.

“Do my eyes look especially swollen, sir?” she asked.
It wasn’t just this morning, but she had been crying a lot lately. It was also the reason she hadn’t met up with Diana all this time.
Nina feared showing up in her distressed state would only worry Diana more.
The driver nodded. “Yes.”
Nina handed the driver an additional fifty dollars. “Could you please pull over for about ten minutes?”
She needed a moment to collect herself.
She couldn’t let Vans consume her thoughts any longer.
Rummaging through her makeup bag, Nina applied some cosmetics to freshen up her appearance, hoping to disguise the signs
of her distress.
Above all, she didn’t want Diana to see her in this state.
The driver complied, and Nina stepped out of the taxi. Although it was a bit warm outside, the air felt refreshing. Nina finally felt
some relief. She wiped away her tears and cleared her nose, taking a moment to observe her surroundings.
The spot where the driver had parked was in a bustling district. Richburgh’s youth often flocked to this area for shopping. Directly
across from where she stood was a building housing high-end brands, while across the street was a wholesale market offering
more affordable goods.
Richburgh had always been inclusive, providing a place for everyone, regardless of background, to find their niche.
Having worked here for many years, Nina had developed a deep affection for the city.
Standing there now, her emotions surged. She remembered arriving in Richburgh as a naive girl from a small town, wide- eyed
and inexperienced.
Through dedication and hard work, she had managed to establish herself in this bustling city.
She had once believed that with diligence and effort, she would carve out a comfortable life for herself, free from the troubles of
her hometown.

Yet, she never anticipated the mess she would get herself into with Vans.
A whirlwind of emotions overcame her.
As she looked around, she observed the youthful faces, the enamored couples walking hand in hand, and...