When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

Clyde quickly hung up the phone, a flicker of impatience in his eyes.

He gave me an awkward smile and pulled out a ring box from his pocket, revealing our wedding rings.

Before he could get a word in, I cut him off. "Clyde, I've told you before, I'm not taking something that someone else has already worn."

He had personally seen Kayla put on that ring, and now he expected me to wear it?

Clyde's hand froze, clearly unsure of what to do. He looked at me intently, then sighed, "Melanie, does it really have to be this way?"

I couldn't understand why he was upset. Wasn't this situation his fault? Yet, thinking about my own actions, I lowered my head. I had my share in this too.

"Clyde, let's get a divorce."

My tone was calm, as if discussing the weather. Once the thought of divorce took root, it seemed to consume me.

Clyde angrily threw the ring onto the back seat. "Melanie, do you really want a divorce that badly?"

"When Vinson came back, you talked about divorce. Do you regret not staying with him in college?"

He was bringing up the past again, and my patience was wearing thin. I reached for the door to leave.

At that moment, his phone rang again. Kayla's persistence was clear.

Clyde's eyes showed both irritation and a trace of compassion.

Kayla remained important to him, and he just couldn't ignore her call.NôvelDrama.Org © content.

After a brief hesitation, he answered. Kayla's tearful voice came through, "Clyde, my allergies are really bad. The doctor wants a family member here. Where are you?"

As he answered, I got out of the car and into a cab.

Clyde was Kayla's family, not mine. Once we divorced, he'd be free.

When I arrived at Jade's place, she had already washed up and made me a cup of hot cocoa.

"Drink this before it gets cold, and take a shower to avoid catching a cold."

Her care was a comforting contrast to the turmoil I'd left behind. I hugged her tightly and drank the cocoa in one gulp. With a friend like her, who needs men?

That night, I slept unusually well. The next morning, I barely made it to work on time. Lina was frantic.

"Melanie, Mr. Patterson isn't here."

"And?" I asked, puzzled.

She handed me documents that needed Mr. Patterson's signature from the previous day.

"Ms. Osborne said he was busy

yesterda

and to get them signedet

today, but he's not here, and he's not answering his phone."

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These projects were under Clyde's supervision, and his signature was essential.

I went to his office but didn't find him. Gemma, who rarely spoke to me, approached.

"Ms. Crawford, Mr. Patterson has been unreachable all morning. Isn't he with you?"

"Do you think he'd be with me?" I retorted.

Gemma acted more like a watchdog than an assistant, always keeping a close eye on my spending. We didn't really click.

After a moment of silent standoff, I called Clyde. Surprisingly, he answered quickly.

"Melanie, are you looking for Clyde? He went to get my medical records."

"You're still at the hospital?"

Kayla sounded smug. “Clyde insisted I stay for observation, and he's staying with me.”

I demanded to speak to Clyde directly, but Kayla's attitude hardened.

"Who do you think you are, ordering me around?"

She hung up abruptly, and my subsequent calls were ignored.

Gemma frowned as I received a message from Lina; Radiant Systems representatives had arrived.

I couldn't keep them waiting, not

after last time. Before heading to the meeting, I checked my phone one last time. Kayla had posted a photo of Clyde taking care of her in the hospital.

Closing my eyes, I accepted the truth. Clyde wouldn't be coming back. He had always been devoted once to me, now to Kayla. His priorities were the same; it was just the person he cared about that had changed.