When Love Becomes a Cage by Nora

Chapter 10

Chapter 10



Ever since I started working, I've felt some of my old spark returning. But the best part? I finally had a paycheck.

The day before, our finance department, in an unprecedented move, handed me a month's base salary. To me, $20,000 felt like winning the lottery. I didn't dwell on why they paid me for a month after just three days of work. After all, Clyde wasn't short on cash.

I immediately transferred half to Jade, who'd been slaving away preparing nutritious meals for the two of us every day. Despite her decent salary, taking care of her grandma on top of everything else, including me, has been a real struggle.

Unfortunately, she refused the money and gave me an earful in the hospital room. "What do you think you are doing? My meals aren't just for anyone, you know. Don't bother to transfer money unless you have a million or two to spare."

I held my food tray, grinning at her.

"Jade, I'm back at work and got my first paycheck," I chuckled.

"What's so funny? You haven't fully recovered yet. Eat up. You're such a pain sometimes." She roughly dished out some lobster for me, quickly wiping a tear when she turned her back.

I devoured the lobster, tears welling up in my eyes, too. Jade's terrible cooking was a waste of the lobsters. After a hearty meal, we fell into our usual chit-chat.

at designing, she was worried. "Isn't your condition supposed to keep you from overthinking? You should be resting, and Clyde..." Mentioning Clyde, we both instinctively stopped. He was both a taboo and an inevitable

better than lying in bed all day. It's not like I have much

don't talk like that," Jade was superstitious, trying to ward

eat more lobsters. I'll bring it daily.

mind was on my budget. Lobsters were expensive, and frankly, eggs and milk were cheaper protein. Luckily,

it was the uplift in spirits, but my recovery was going well. Before

on the first try. You have no idea the Design Department struggled for months only to get rejected. Everyone's waiting for you to lead

I knew better. In the Design Department, I was a walking disaster for everyone else. Clyde sometimes couldn't separate personal from professional, often taking it

things were different. First, I needed to ensure I

issue with Radiant Systems. It's a big project." I started thinking about the final commission, which

improved my mood, granting me another half year

to meet immediately

Lina's troubled face,

sense for me to handle the talks. Others might not

with the client three days later at the office. Three days wouldn't significantly impact the project, but for me, it was crucial. I needed to

about Rocky, my dog, whom I hadn't seen in ages, made me miss the

my latest reports, confirming my steady recovery. It seemed I was getting

call shattered my peace. Even on vibrate, the phone sounded alarmingly