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.

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

said it was the engagement ring he planned to use to propose when he was broke. Buying such a ring must have taken him ages to

a mix of emotions. The ring would depreciate when sold, and selling it wouldn't fetch much, especially with its crude craftsmanship. But having something was better than nothing. Who knows, it might

pondered where to find an affordable yet reliable

with the admissions department. Just come over to complete

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

had thought of every possible way to save me money.

whimpering from my neighbor's home. Brenda opened the door,

me.

and hugged its big head. "Be good.

strong even if I couldn't make

then said, "Wait

got this for you in the church the other day. May

string, I nodded with a smile. Brenda

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

the doctor's

through the

real quick.

day, I felt more

in

for Clyde at the school gates as he returned from his part-time job, bringing

were awful, reeking

flavoring, but

always beamed with joy when seeing me relish them, looking

I answered the phone instinctively. "Clyde, I want the blueberry ones today. Make sure you queue up early,

the other end before

turned over and fell back asleep, happy to have had a pleasant dream for