When Love Becomes a Cage by Nora

Chapter 4

Chapter 4



Clyde hadn't returned home the previous night, choosing to stay with Kayla.

The office grapevine was buzzing with gossip about the two of them.-

[Mr. Patterson is over the top, isn't he? Making a big deal over a tiny wound and rushing Kayla to the hospital.]

[Have you ever heard of a man's sweetheart? Mr. Patterson was beside himself with worry.]

[Did Melanie storm into the office today to catch a homewrecker red-handed?]

[The boss's wife is apparently after money but just asked for $100,000. How pathetic. Kayla's necklace, I looked it up, worth $190,000.]

I closed WhatsApp with a sneer playing at the corner of my mouth. The idea of the boss's wife getting pitied was indeed a joke.

Woken up by the noise, I couldn't fall back asleep and decided to start packing my things.

It wasn't my first rodeo with surgery. I packed my personal belongings with practiced ease.

Everything in our home was top-notch. Clyde had an eye for quality. Even the bed linens and tissues were the most expensive. I unapologetically crammed them into my luggage. Hospital charges were high, and I wasn't about to waste a dime.

Even though I now had $100,000, what if something happened during surgery?

Hospital bills could skyrocket, and it was better to be safe than sorry.

Standing before the jewelry cab, I decided against smashing it open. Breaking it would likely mean losing my chance at

and a small, pitiful diamond ring. Clyde had said it was the engagement ring he planned to use to propose when he was broke. Buying such a ring must have

sold, and selling it wouldn't fetch much, especially with its crude craftsmanship. But

to find an

the admissions department. Just

a $30,000 deposit. We've reserved a double room for you, and you can share

thought of every possible way to

my neighbor's home. Brenda opened the door, and Rocky dashed

me.

holding back tears, and hugged its big head. "Be good. I'll be

strong even

hesitated, then said, "Wait

with a silver cross. "I got this for you in the church the other day. May God

at the cross with a faded string, I nodded with a smile. Brenda was

clutching the cross tightly. Maybe with God's blessing, I could extend

the doctor's

the

real quick. Thinking about

day, I felt more

lying in

at the school gates as he returned from his part-time

were

flavoring, but

at a dollar each. Clyde always beamed with joy when seeing me

me, and I answered the phone instinctively. "Clyde, I want the

the other end before a gentle response came, "Okay,

back asleep, happy to have had a pleasant dream for