When Love Becomes a Cage by Nora

Chapter 2

Chapter 2



I looked like something straight out of a horror show then. Three months back, the cancer came knocking again, and I'd withered away to nothing but skin and bones.

Then there was Kayla, pure and pretty as a picture, with her round face and bright eyes, a spitting image of the college me.

Compared to her, I wasn't just plain Jane. I was like the walking dead. But what could I do? I was probably on my last leg.

A colleague whispered a warning, "Mr. Patterson adores his wife. Don't stir trouble. Otherwise, you might bite off more than you can chew."

See, everyone thought Clyde was head over heels for me. But no one knew he'd rather see me dead.

Kayla scoffed but quickly plastered on a smile. "Melanie, Mr. Patterson's in the middle of an important video call. No interruptions. If you need anything, I can pass the message to him for you."

She meant she could waltz into Clyde's office anytime, flaunting it in my face. Her smile was pretty if you ignored the scheming in her eyes. And that smile did remind me of a younger me. No wonder Clyde saw her as something special.

Clyde's flings and assistants came and went, but it was more about gauging my reaction. At first, I'd fight back and argue with him. But I realized the more I did, the bolder he got. So, I pretended to see nothing. Even when he'd flaunt his affairs right before me, I could calmly shut the door behind

them.

brought Kayla home or let me meet her. Yet, I would hear about their escapades through office gossip like movies, candlelit dinners, and matching outfits. I knew this was different. He was in love, not just playing around. I'd been through it all before in my

I'll wait for him here. And could you get me a

you are, asking me

red. That arrogant attitude was all too familiar. Poor

brought me my coffee, earning a brown-noser sneer

Osborne, you also know you're not exactly

my words

Kayla exploded in tears. "Who are you

any

loved you for ages. Clinging to him is your fault! Look at you. Who

stormed over, intending

pitying her youthful

home two blondes the day after our first

coffee cup, which crashed to the floor,

the coffee stain on my black outfit, grateful it wasn't too

think you'd be this cruel! Why resort to violence?" Clyde's voice rose, and there he was, cradling

was superficial,

Clyde was

with worry.

the first