When Love Becomes a Cage by Nora

Chapter 14

Chapter 14



The day after, Brenda told me she had sorted everything out, and that was when I realized she was supposed to leave early that morning.

"Melanie, I've wanted to talk to you about this for a while," she started, her voice laced with a hint of hesitation. "But I was worried about how it might affect your recovery. I was on the fence about taking Rocky with me. I only went through with the paperwork because I thought, what if you couldn't take care of him?"

Brenda's son had been urging her to move to Aurorea for the longest time, but she was in a dilemma because she was concerned for me and Rocky. To speed up her departure, her family even shelled out more cash.

I insisted on giving her the money, but she shook her head at me. "Sweetheart, I know things haven't been easy for you. Which family around here is short on cash? Only you."

My financial struggles and my poverty were an open secret in our neighborhood. Clyde bringing women home was no news to anyone. To them, I was a pitiful, tragic figure.

I never hid my troubles but also never spoke of them voluntarily.

Maybe only Clyde thought he was being super good to me, what with all the money he'd given me, more than a lot of folks could bring in their whole lives.

Leaving the airport and watching the planes overhead, I didn't know where Rocky was, but I knew he'd be well-cared for and have a long, happy life. Returning home to the empty house, it felt devoid of warmth. Despite it being summer, the place was chilling to the bone.

and take my medication with more chemotherapy sessions in the pipeline. I cooked myself pasta, but it was so awful that

lying in bed, I thought about how starting work the next day might help shake

of alcohol, climbed into bed, startling me awake. "Babe, why

head bobbing against my shoulder, his voice

sore spots without realizing it. "Babe, why have you lost so much weight? Why aren't you eating? I saw the pasta you made for

bought you some cupcakes and iced coffee. Come on. Get up and have some. Eating more will help you gain some weight." He clumsily got

my eyes. It was from the cheapest bakery near our school, always bustling but not particularly good.

and bring it to my lips, I couldn't help but take a sip. It tasted terrible, all artificial flavor. But I smiled genuinely for the first time in what

the table, gently wiping away my tears. "Once you've had my coffee, you're stuck with me. No

stared at him, feeling dazed. Was he drinking because

kisses then came, tentative at first, but soon, I returned them passionately, feeling as if my heart was finally complete. He carefully laid

I didn't want him to see my wounds, nor did I want to be back

me, confused,

picking it up and squinting at

more distractions

my head, my blood running cold.

strength, I slapped hard on

at me with

gasping for breath. "Get out,