Nina evolved into a more mature woman; she continued writing novels and began a friendship with a man named Tomas Del Cerro, a world-renowned novelist. Their friendship soon evolved into a relationship. Nina's career took an upswing when Tomas' publisher became interested in her novel "A Cry in Thin Air", which involved her story regarding her long-lost child. He decided to propose to Nina and she reluctantly accepted, but their relationship was soon over when Tomas was unable to get over Nina's success as a writer. Tomas disappeared from Genoa City, and Nina left town to escape her past.