When Love Becomes a Cage by Nora

Chapter 7

Chapter 7



Clyde guarded his phone like a fortress. It was off-limits for anyone but him.

Yet, there we were for the second time. When the cops called, Kayla answered. It was the same story when I tried reaching him.

"If it's no big deal, I've gotta go. We're busy," Kayla said, her voice dripping with a smugness that made it clear she relished emphasizing "we" as if I needed a reminder that they were together.

"Tell him to call me back after his shower," I managed, my voice trembling from rage and pain, which amused Kayla greatly.

"He'll be too busy after his shower to call you," she retorted, her tone light and taunting. "Whatever it is, you can tell me. It's all the same."

but smirk at her audacity, even though the pain made it

assets. Those cozy pictures of you two are evidence of an affair during the marriage. Or would you be keen on

push it! Calling me names won't change the fact that Clyde is over you. Dream on. All you care about is money. You are a selfish gold-digger. Clyde regrets

ended abruptly, her words leaving a bitter taste as I stared at the dark screen of my phone. A part of me wondered why I was even fighting to stay alive. Shouldn't I

"Melanie? Melanie!"

flew open, revealing Jade Scott, disbelief etched across her face. "Why are you here? Did you have surgery? What happened? Did you relapse? I thought they said it wouldn't come back after

bombarded me with questions, leaving

while Jade caught her breath, I asked,

at the bed next to her where her grandma was lying. "My grandma is here. I

you? What's going on? You're sick and didn't tell me? Where's Clyde? Was that Clyde's mistress on the phone? He's sunk

into an uneasy silence, the weight of her words hanging in the air. My condition meant I couldn't leave the hospital even if I wanted to. When she saw my silence, Jade's frustration grew. "Why didn't you call me? You can't handle

taking her

had been my college roommate and one of my

had returned, but