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.

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

diamond ring. Clyde had said it was the engagement ring he planned to use to propose when

depreciate when sold, and selling it wouldn't fetch much, especially with its crude craftsmanship. But having something was better than nothing. Who

I pondered where to find an affordable yet reliable caregiver

with the

double room for you, and you can share a caregiver with the other

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

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

me.

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

strong even if I

said, "Wait

cross. "I got this for you in the church the other day. May God bring you

faded string, I nodded with a smile. Brenda was kind-hearted, and Rocky would do well

Maybe with God's blessing, I could extend my

the doctor's directions,

through the hospital

real quick.

day,

lying in the hospital

school gates as he returned from his part-time job, bringing

were awful, reeking

flavoring, but they

at a dollar each. Clyde always beamed with

familiar ringtone woke me, and I answered the phone instinctively. "Clyde, I want the blueberry ones today. Make sure you queue up early,

before a gentle response

and fell back asleep, happy