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.

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

last, I 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

on, feeling 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

find an affordable yet reliable caregiver

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

We've reserved a double room for

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

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

me.

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

strong even

said, "Wait

this for you in the church the other day. May God bring you

nodded with a smile. Brenda was kind-hearted,

clutching the cross tightly. Maybe with God's blessing, I could extend my life a bit

doctor's

through the hospital

real quick.

day, I felt more

lying in

for Clyde at the school gates as he returned from his

were awful, reeking

flavoring, but

at a dollar each. Clyde always beamed with joy when seeing me relish them, looking incredibly

ringtone woke me, and I answered the phone instinctively. "Clyde, I

other end before a gentle response came, "Okay, wait for

back asleep, happy to have had a pleasant dream for