I passone of the senior partners’ offices on my way to speak with Richard. The walls are glass, so I can easily see which men are in there talking. It’s all the same ones that work less than I do but get rewarded faster than me. The door is open, making it easy to catch snippets of conversation.
“She grabbed her water bottle and threw it at my client in the middle of mediation, just like I predicted,” one says, garnering laughter from the others. “So you all owe me five bucks.”
Another snorts. “Nah, you poked the bear. You and the husband kept pushing and pushing her until she lashed out.”
“I’m not saying we had a plan, but I’m not saying we didn’t have a plan.”
More laughter.
“Poor lady,” the first says through his chuckles. “My client cheated on her, hid his assets, and is now leaving her with nothing. She should’ve gotten a better divorce attorney if she even wanted a chance.”
I roll my eyes and keep moving, but their voices follow me down the hall. “The only one who wins in marriages are the divorce attorneys,” a new one adds.
I’ve said that same phrase over and over.
And I’ve thought some of the same things before, but something about hearing it out loud—so smug, so certain—makes me clench my fingers. It sounds less like realism and more like glee. Like they’re rooting for things to fall apart. Maybe I’ve been cynical, but I’ve nevercelebratedsomeone else’s heartbreak…I don’t think. And if I have, I don’t want to be the kind of person who does that anymore.
I keep walking until I reach Richard’s secretary.
“He’s expecting you,” she says, gesturing for me to enter his office.
Every time I speak with Richard, there’s always the hope that he’ll tell me I’ve done enough to be made partner, but it’s been three and a half months since those promises were extended, and still nothing has been done. My hope is waning.
“You wanted to see me.” I walk through his door and see my colleague Mark sitting on one of the leather couches.
“Oh, Camila. Thank goodness you’re here.” Richard walks around his desk and sits on the edge of it. “I know you’re working on the Becker case right now, but the Danbury case is not going well. The sixteen-year-old daughter will not agree to the custody terms and is refusing to cooperate. We have a mediation scheduled for six p.m. tonight. I need my shark to convince the girl to comply so we can finalize the divorce. There’s ahugepayout on this case that we’d like to settle sooner rather than later.”
My eyes drift to Mark. “Aren’t you overseeing the Danbury divorce?”
“Yes, but I’m getting nowhere with the daughter. She’s kind of a brat.”
“That’s why we want you to go to the mediation tonight. Smooth things over with the girl, convince her to come to a custody agreement.”
“I already have a commitment tonight that I can’t miss.” We have our monthly marriage counseling with Abby, but I’m not telling Richard that.
“You’re going to have to cancel,” Richard says. “I shouldn’t have to remind you that a partnership is on the line.”Yeah, because you dangle that every single time you want something from me.
“No, sir. You don’t. I’ll see if I can rearrange my schedule.”
“Good.” He stands, waving Mark to me. “You two can spend the next little bit going over the details of the Danbury divorce.”
“Sure.” I turn to Mark. “I’ll meet you in the conference room in ten minutes.”
I wait until I’m back in my office to call Hess, but the entire time I walked to my office, my frustrations have been growing.
“Hey!” His voice sounds happy to hear from me. “I’m just getting ready to leave for our counseling session.”
“And I’m calling to tell you I can’t make it tonight.”
“Why not?”
I twist one of my curls around my finger while I pace my office. “Richard wants me to sit in on a mediation for a case that’s not even mine. I told him I already had plans, but he threatened the promotion to partner, like he always does. At this point, I don’t think they’re ever going to make me a partner. It just feels like a tactic they're using to get me to do everything around this office.” My voice rises as does the speed of my words. I hadn’t realized how much I hate how Richard takes advantage of me, but it’s all I’m focused on now. “I’m already working more hours than everyone else. I’m literally killing myself to get this promotion, and it’s like they don’t even notice.” Combine all of this with the negativity around the office, and I’vereached my limit for the day, which is surprising because I’ve never felt this way before. “Sorry,” I say, feeling self-conscious. “I shouldn’t have dropped all of that on you. I guess it’s just wearing me down.”
“I’m so glad you did.” Hess’s voice is soft and gentle. “I want to support you in the good and the bad. And it’s understandable that you’re frustrated. I’ve personally seen how hard you’ve been working, and if that level of commitment to your job isn’t being valued, it’s hard not to feel the way you do.”
My eyes fill with tears. I can’t believe I’m getting emotional over this. These feelings and the tears are so unlike me.
“Yeah,” I breathe raggedly. “I think I’m just tired.”
