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.

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

happy. Having money makes me cheerful, better than lying in bed all day. It's not like I have much else going for me besides this one talent. Who knows, I might not stick around long, but the buildings I design... they'll keep standing

Jade was superstitious, trying

get some resistance. You have to eat more lobsters. I'll

my budget. Lobsters were expensive, and frankly, eggs and milk were cheaper protein. Luckily, now

going well. Before

the hospital, excited. "Melanie, you're amazing. Your revision got approved on the first try. You have no idea the Design Department struggled for months only to get rejected. Everyone's waiting for you to

a walking disaster for everyone else. Clyde sometimes couldn't separate personal from professional, often taking it out on the team because of

then, things were different. First, I needed to ensure I

started thinking about the final commission, which could cover my medical

my mood, granting me

want to meet immediately to discuss

Lina's troubled

over after work. Since I initiated the design, it made sense for me to handle

meeting 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 be discharged and rest at home a

Rocky, my dog, whom I hadn't seen in ages,

nurse showed me my latest reports, confirming my steady

hours, Clyde's call shattered my