“Sit down.” I said coldly and finally looked my wife in the eye. “I’ve heard that you shouldn’t spend too much time on your feet when your pregnant.”
36-Ben
Ialmostfelt guilty for dropping it on her the way I did when Melanie's face paled and she looked unsteady on her feet.
Almost.
Until Griffin came to her rescue, and I was again reminded that my wife had brought another man with her to try and divorce me, while also hiding my child from me.
“H-how?” she stammered and looked between her lawyer and Griffin with panic in her eyes.
“The nurses,” I admitted with a shrug. I could feel Frank glaring at me, but I chose to ignore him.
Ms. Yang sat back down and clapped her hands together slowly. Melanie jumped at the sound and then slowly slid back into her own seat. Griffin stayed stationed behind her seat with a scowl on his face.
“Bravo Mr. Landon. That was quite the performance. Now what do you want?”
“My wife.” I said before Frank could speak.
“No—“He started and glared at me, “Given that both Mr. and Mrs. Landon’s have been dishonest in this marriage, we believe that a fifty-fifty division of assets is more than fair.”
“We aren’t getting a divorce,” I said firmly, and Melanie's jaw dropped.
“You can’t be serious?” She whispered.
“I am.” I leaned forward, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I knew you’d use it to try and make me stay!” She snapped.
“A child is a reason to save a marriage!” I argued. “We owe it to our child to try and fix our marriage, instead of giving up on it.”
“Ben…” she shook her head and her eyes filled with tears, “I can’t be with you anymore. There is nothing left to fix.”
“You’re being stubborn!” I roared. I felt my own eyes prickle with tears.
“That’s enough.” Ms. Yang’s assertive voice cut through the tension. “Mr. Landon, my client is not going to change her mind about a divorce. The only thing that is up for discussion today is if we are going to do this the easy way or the hard way.”
“We want the prenup declared invalid and for your client to sign the very fair agreement I have with me today.” Frank slid the papers forward this time, and I could hear the blood pumping in my ears.
“I won’t sign it.” I snarled, and Frank gave me an exasperated look.
“Ben… what is wrong with you?” He whispered. I glanced at Melanie and Griffin, who were watching me with matching concern.
“A pregnancy is an opportunity—a sign—that we should be together.” I whispered back. “You’re my lawyer, make it happen!”
“It’s not—” Frank growled and spun back to address Ms. Yang. “My client won’t sign any agreement until paternity has been established.”
“What?!” Melanie gasped and jumped to her feet. “How dare you!”
“That’s not—” I lunged across the table to grab her wrist.
“Don’t touch me!” she shrieked, and Griffin pulled her out of my reach.
“I don’t need a fucking paternity test.” I snarled at Frank.
“There is no other—reasonable—reason to delay signing.” Frank said, through gritted teeth.
“I need…” Melanie darted out of the room and ran for the women’s bathroom. Before anyone could stop me, I chased after her.
