Chapter Seven

Nicole.

I opened my mouth but no words came out, I did the same thing again. Why was she asking me that? She’s already gotten permission from Janice to call her mom so why would she need my permission?

“I—“

“Oh, Nicole’s permission doesn’t matter. I’m sure she agrees with this, right Nicole?” Janice asked as I gulped, slowly looking at Jack for help.

He didn’t say anything either, just like darker he was also staring at me expectantly.

With a forced smile, I pulled my gaze from him back to his mother who was also equally smiling forcefully at me.

“That is not a problem, Mrs Davenport.” I answered agreeing to what they were saying.

Laura’s eyes were on me the whole time and I tried my best to act like she wasn’t there.

“See, I told you she wouldn’t be a problem.” She took hold of Laura’s hand and intended to leave.

But then how could she leave when she hadn’t answered my earlier question? She may see me as a good for nothing but that doesn’t mean I want to be treated as a good for nothing.

“Mrs Davenport…” I called loudly causing the two of them to pause their conversation.

“Yes. What do you want Nicole?” She was no longer smiling now.

“I would like to know who you were talking about earlier. You know the party?” I added when she stared at me with a confused face.

“Now I know how dumb and stupid you are Nicole. You think you have the right to question me?” She asked and I gulped.

“Look I can do things anyway because I have the fucking right to which you do not have. Your right is to do as you’re told and I can see you’re doing a terrible job at it.” She looked at Jack, whom I was expecting to have my back for the third time today.

“I expect you to discipline her more. She’s getting out of hand and more….. useless as the day passes.”

Discipline me?

What am I? A dog?

Is that how they see me, not a person but a thing they have right over and they can control?

“I will Mom.” Of-fucking-course he would agree with his mother.

I have had enough. I didn’t wait for a second longer as I barged out of there to our room.

As soon as I got there, I tried to close the door but couldn’t, I looked at the barrier and realized it was Jack who had stepped in the room.

I let out a tired sigh and went to bed. I felt like sleeping.

Jack closed the door behind him and then suddenly turned until we were both looking at each other. He didn’t say a word nor did I.

If he wants to keep on staring at me like in some sort of a statue then I will do the same.

“What the fuck was that out there Nicole?” He asked after a while of being silent.

I know this is the reason why he is here, he wants to know why I behaved that way to his mother. He’s here to discipline me just like his mother said.

“What?” I asked, even though I knew what he was talking about.

“That? Why would you do that?”

“What the hell have I done now, Jack?” I stared at him.

“Yes, you did a whole lot of wrong things Nicole. Do you want me to start mentioning them?”

“G—“

“For example, why didn’t you greet Laura properly?”

What??

He’s mad because of that?

“I don’t… understand?”

“Oh, you understand perfectly well and know what I’m talking about. Laura is a guest and as the head of this household you’re supposed to greet my guest as my wife!”

His wife!

He thinks he can call me that now when I haven’t been treated as one. Does he even see me as one? That question has been bugging me for a while, not the first time after our marriage but the second year when he left me for her even when I told him I’m his ‘Wife’ and not her.

There were so many questions I wanted to ask but I held myself back, bringing them up was like starting a fight and right now I do not want to fight. All I want is to find a better chance to tell him that I’m pregnant—that we are expecting a baby. Our baby.

“I’m talking to you Nicole, don’t keep me silent.”

“What do you want me to do? Kiss her feet and kneel before her because she’s your guest?” I asked, watching as his fists clenched and unclenched.

“You were supposed to go over and greet her, she just came back to the country after a long time Nicole. The first thing I expected was—“

“The first thing I expected from my husband who wasn’t home last night because he was at the airport picking up his ex-girlfriend was that he would come over, hug me while greeting me, and come up with an excuse why he wasn’t home last night.” I cut in angrily.

He doesn’t have the right to tell me how to behave. I may be his wife but I’m not his freaking puppet.

“The first thing you should have done as my husband was come in and save my ass when your mother was being a bitch.” The word was out of my mouth before I realized what I had said.

But do I regret saying it, no!

“What the fuck did you just call my mom?” He asked moving from the door and walking closer to me until he was standing in front of me.

His manly scent wafted into my nostrils and I forced myself not to moan. I love his scent, in fact, I love everything about him.

“I—“

“Don’t you ever call her that again in your fucking pathetic life Nicole? Ever. Is that clear?” He asked.

I gulped, not wanting to answer.

“I said. Is. That. Fucking. Clear.?”

‘Do not make him mad Nicole, he may change his mind at any time and cut off the deal. That isn’t something we would want.’ The familiar voice of my father popped up in my head.

It always does, shows up, and reminds me that I have no rights in this marriage. Show up and let me know the risk of what my attitude will cause.

“Yes.” I answered in a whisper.

“Yes, what?”

“Yes, I understand.” I bit my inner cheek with my hand clenched beside me.

Even though I feel like shit right now I wasn’t going to cry in front of him.

“Good.” He pulled back and adjusted his suit.

“I’m sure you must know mom is hosting a party to welcome Laura.”

The little breath I have been taking to calm my angry nerves got knocked out of me when he said that. And instantly I placed two and two together and it wasn’t hard to know the ‘daughter-in-law’ she was talking about.

It wasn’t ever me, it wasn’t going to be me.

I burst into bitter laughter at the thought.

When would someone ever acknowledge me for me?

“I don’t see anything amusing for you to be laughing about Nicole. I asked a question and as a good wife you are supposed to answer.”

Right.

“I do.”

“Good, I want you to be on your best behavior. Knowing Mom I’m sure she would invite almost everyone in town to welcome Laura so put on your best dress and attitude during the party. I don’t want anything to go wrong with it, she’s put too much effort into it already.”

Of course, keep the order coming and I’m going to always say yes like I’m supposed to.

“I know.”

He stared at me one time then turned to leave. That’s it. He’s ready to bolt out of here now that he has said what he wants to.

“Really?” He paused.

“Aren’t you going to tell me what happened….. Last night? Why weren’t you home, why didn’t you pick up my calls when I called?” I asked.

“That's none of your business Nicole. I’m a grown man and can do whatever I like without having to consult you first.” I stared at his back in disbelief.

That’s all he has to say about everything.

I let out a breath and took a deep one in, it always helps in this kind of situation where I’m about to lose my shit.

“Are you cheating on me, Jack?”