When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

"What's gotten into you now?" Clyde didn't even turn around, clearly not keen on diving into that conversation.

I repeated myself, "Let's get a divorce."

He didn't love me anymore. It seemed he had found his true love, and I couldn't fathom why he was still clinging to me. Was it to get back at me for leaving him years ago? Weren't three years of this charade enough?

I had left for two years, and he had been parading his affair for three, making us even in my book. Leaving at the moment would be dignified for both of us, squaring all accounts.

He finally turned with a harsh glint in his eyes. "Melanie, what game are you playing now? Divorce? I bet you're just trying to get my attention. Haven't I done enough?"

I couldn't grasp what he meant. What had he done? So, does bringing his mistress into our house and expecting me to join family dinners count or what? Sure, that was quite the honor, indeed.

But before I could retort, nausea overcame me. I rushed to the bathroom, throwing up until I was dizzy. I hadn't eaten anything beforehand, and soon, I was retching, feeling slightly better after getting it all out.

Clyde was there, patting my back and handing me water. I could sense his anxiety, but I was too miserable to make out his words.

Suddenly, he lifted me despite my struggles. "Stop moving. I'm taking you to the hospital. You can't go on like this."

"No, don't!" I pushed against him, not wanting any part of a hospital visit.

What was there to see? It was just the side effects of chemotherapy. It would get worse.

But he seemed impatient, holding me even tighter. At the door, his phone rang with Kayla's ringtone. He hesitated before setting me down to answer

it.

"Clyde, are you done with me? You don't love me anymore? But I still love you! So, you're leaving me for Melanie and going to see your family with her, right? Clyde, I'm at a bar, and this guy is staring at me. I'm so scared." Kayla's plaintive voice came through, and Clyde froze.

He looked at me, all torn up, but then he steeled himself and said into the phone, "Send me the address. I'll be right there."

I sat on the sofa, covering my forehead with my hand. I didn't want to see Clyde or watch him rush to another woman's aid.

Clyde put on his jacket, his voice trembling, "Melanie, wait for me to come home. I'll drop Kayla off and take you to the hospital."Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

I scoffed, not responding. I knew Clyde wouldn't return. Dizziness washed over me, and my head felt heavy. I remembered the doctor mentioning the possibility of fainting if the side effects worsened. The headache intensified, my vision blurring as I saw Clyde heading out.

"Clyde," I called out softly. He paused, then left.

I chuckled at myself bitterly. Why would Clyde stay for me? In my last moments of clarity, I called Jade. Hoping for that telepathic connection between best friends, I feared I might not wake up again.

Waking up in the hospital the following day, I was grateful for having shared my home's passcode with Jade in advance.

Her eyes were red as she looked at me. “That bastard Clyde, how could he leave you alone at home?"

She was crying and cursing. That

was when I learned Jade had been asleep and only saw my call when she got up at midnight. When she got to my place, it was already the early hours.

As expected, Clyde hadn't returned. So much for taking me to the hospital, liar.

I quietly lowered my head. "Jade, I'm sorry for worrying you."

"Why are you apologizing to me? I'm the one who slept like a log!"

The doctor came in for another check, looking at me with a complicated expression. "Ms.

Crawford, you need to rest, and it'

best to have family around. Given this is your second relapse, we can't take any chances. Someone should stay with you, especially during chemotherapy."

Jade immediately raised her hand. "I can be that person. From now on, you're staying with me. We're moving you to my place today."

I was about to refuse when she glared at me with teary eyes. "Either you come with me, or I stay with you, your choice. Or I'll camp out at your office. Decide!"

After a moment of serious thought, I did have other places to go, but those places scared me. I relented. "Fine, let's head back to mine to pack some stuff first."

Jade finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After the doctor confirmed my condition wasn't too severe, he allowed me to leave, emphasizing, "Your situation is unique. Some decisions might need making by next of kin."

I shook my head. "I can write a power of attorney, leaving Jade in charge of my affairs."

If I divorced Clyde, I'd effectively be without a next of kin.

Jade drove me home, ranting about Clyde the entire way.

But I just listened, offering no reply. I knew what kind of man he was. What was there to say?

Yet, arriving home, we saw a pair of women's slippers at the door. My white Chanel slippers were nowhere to be seen on the shoe rack.

Kayla emerged from my walk-in closet, three necklaces draped around her neck, her hands filled with my belongings.

Her eyes gleamed with triumph while I looked at her coldly. "Who let you in?"