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.

could wear at any time, was pathetically small. Standing before the jewelry cab,

picked out a pair of gold studs and a small, pitiful diamond ring. Clyde had said it was the engagement ring he planned to use to propose when he

it wouldn't fetch much, especially with its crude craftsmanship. But having something was better than nothing. Who knows, it might save my

to find an

"I've spoken with the admissions department. Just come over

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

had thought of every possible way to save me money. I thanked

I heard Rocky whimpering from my neighbor's home. Brenda opened the door, and Rocky dashed toward me, whining

me.

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

strong even if I couldn't

then said, "Wait

and returned with a silver cross. "I got this for you in

a smile. Brenda was kind-hearted, and Rocky

with God's blessing, I could extend my life

the doctor's

the

real quick. Thinking

the next day, I felt more

lying in

at the school gates as he returned from his part-time job, bringing my "favorite"

pies were awful, reeking

flavoring, but

each. Clyde always beamed with joy when seeing me relish

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

end before a gentle

over and fell back asleep, happy to have had a