I'm Done with You Chapter 2

The moment I arrived at the clinic, my mother-in-law called.

It was always like this. Whenever we fought, Marcus couldn't be bothered to deal with me, so he’d pass me off to his mother.

“Nicole, fighting with Marcus again? Honey, let me give you some advice. A woman shouldn’t be so dramatic. Men like a gentle touch.”

Her words were casual, dismissive. It was clear she didn’t take me seriously. In her eyes, I was pregnant with Marcus’s child; no other man would want me if we divorced.

She already knew about Marcus and Nina. In fact, Nina’s name for her had progressed from Mrs. Kane, to godmother, and now, she just called her “Mom.” And my mother-in-law was perfectly fine with it. In her mind, the fact that her son could keep two women happy was a sign of his charm and ability.

“It doesn’t matter anymore,” I said calmly. “If he and Nina are truly in love, then I’ll step aside.”

She wasn’t the least bit flustered that I knew. She was confident I was just throwing another tantrum for attention.

“Nicole, dear, men have to play the part sometimes when they’re out in the world. As his wife, you should be more understanding, not add to his stress over trivial things. You’re the lady of this house. No one can take your place. Besides, you’re carrying his child. Who would want you if you left him now?”

Her tone was thick with contempt.

“Mrs. Kane,” I replied coldly, “this isn’t the 19th century. Are you still thinking in terms of first wives and second wives?”

I hung up and was about to walk into the pre-arranged abortion clinic when I saw my mother helping my college-aged sister, Sophie, who was waiting in the same line.

I rushed over. The moment they saw me, they both started to cry.

“Nicole, I know things are hard for you with your in-laws, and I didn’t want to bother you, but I just don’t know what else to do,” my mother sobbed.

“Mom, calm down. Tell me what happened.”

“Your sister… her boss assaulted her on a business trip. Now he’s denying it, saying she was willing. She’s pregnant, and he won’t even admit it’s his, claiming she slept around. Nicole, Marcus is a brilliant lawyer. Can you please ask him to represent her?”

The news hit me so hard I couldn’t speak.

My mother, thinking I was hesitant, quickly backtracked. “I’m sorry, Nicole. I know Marcus is a man of principle. I shouldn’t have asked. We’ll find another way.”

“No, Mom, don’t say that. I understand. I’ll figure something out.”

Twenty minutes later, I was at the private law firm Marcus ran off-campus. The waiting room was packed, as usual. Marcus was a top attorney.

I took a number and sat down like everyone else. It was his rule. Even as his wife, I had to follow procedure during work hours. No special treatment.

As I was calculating how long the wait would be, a familiar, slender figure pushed through the crowd and walked straight to the door of Marcus’s office.

“Professor Kane,” Nina called softly, knocking gently. “I have something urgent I need to ask you about. Could I possibly…?”

Marcus immediately stepped aside and gestured for her to enter. He turned to the crowded waiting room and said flatly, “One moment. I have an emergency to handle.”

Murmurs of complaint rippled through the room.

“What the hell? She just cut the line.”

“I thought the great Marcus Kane was all about principles.”

“Yeah, everyone here has an emergency. That’s why we’re here!”

Marcus ignored them, his face impassive as he closed the door, shutting out all the resentful stares.

Even though I knew about his favoritism, seeing it in person made my heart sink. A place that was off-limits to me, his own wife, was a place a young student could enter at will.

So, the rules could be broken. I just wasn’t the one worthy of breaking them for.

The minutes ticked by. The door remained shut. The complaints grew louder.

An hour later, the door finally opened. Nina emerged, her earlier anxiety gone, replaced by a rosy-cheeked, joyful expression. When she saw me sitting in the waiting area, a smug look flashed across her face.

Marcus saw me then, too. Surprise flickered in his eyes for a second before he composed himself.

“Next,” he called out, his voice all business as he shut the door again.

I waited until the firm closed for the day, but my number was never called.

As Marcus was leaving, I ran after him.