When Love Becomes a Cage by Nora

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."

I couldn't help but smirk at her audacity, even though the pain made it hard to focus on the conversation.

"Kayla, your little trip to Westbridge with him is from marital assets. Those cozy pictures of you two are evidence of an affair during the marriage. Or would you be keen on returning that money if I pursued legal action?"

That seemed to hit a nerve. Kayla's voice pitched as she snapped back, "Melanie, don't 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 marrying you every single day. You want money, heh? Dream on. You could be dying, and he wouldn't spare you a glance."

The call 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 be pleading for help instead?

"Melanie? Melanie!"

The curtain around my hospital bed 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 the surgery."

Jade bombarded me with questions, leaving me speechless.

Finally, while Jade caught her breath, I asked, "Why are you here?"

bed next to her where her grandma was lying. "My grandma is

didn't tell me? Where's Clyde? Was that Clyde's

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

reached out, taking

back tears. Jade had been my college roommate and

calling her when I found out my cancer had returned, but she was in the midst of a critical international

said, "The surgery went

look awful. Don't force a smile. And Clyde? He didn't even show up for your surgery? What

the subject. "You're

ring, gesturing toward my bag. "Could you pack these up and sell them?

repay her generosity with the most expensive bags

Chapter 7



a fortress. It was off-limits for anyone but

were for the second time. When the cops called, Kayla answered. It was the same story when

Kayla said, her voice dripping with a smugness that made it clear she relished emphasizing "we" as if I needed a reminder that they

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

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

smirk at her audacity, even though the pain made it

two are evidence of an affair during the marriage. Or would you be keen on returning that money if I pursued

don't push it! Calling me names won't change the fact that Clyde is over you. Dream on. All you care about is money.

stared at the dark screen of my phone. A part of me wondered why I

"Melanie? Melanie!"

bed flew open, revealing Jade Scott, disbelief etched across her face. "Why are you here? Did you have surgery?

me with questions, leaving