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.

small. Standing before the jewelry cab, I decided against smashing

had said it was the engagement ring he planned to use to propose when he was broke. Buying such a ring

carefully slipped the ring 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

to find

called me, sounding excited, "I've spoken with the admissions department.

We've reserved a double room for you, and

financial constraints, the doctor had thought of every possible way to save me money. I thanked him

whimpering from my neighbor's home. Brenda

me.

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

strong even if

then said, "Wait

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

faded string, I nodded with a smile. Brenda was kind-hearted,

with God's blessing, I could

doctor's

through the hospital

real quick.

next day, I

in

again, this time, of waiting for Clyde at the school gates as he returned from

were awful, reeking

but they

each. Clyde always beamed with

me, and I answered the phone instinctively. "Clyde, I want the blueberry ones today. Make

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

over and fell back asleep, happy