When Love Becomes a Cage by Nora

Chapter 19

Chapter 19



When I opened my eyes, I found myself back in the hospital.

It seemed fate had tied Greenfield Medical Center with me. The doctor looked at me, almost out of breath from exasperation. "Melanie, you're something else. I've never had a patient who disregards advice as much as you do."

I struggled to sit up, eager to defend myself. "Doctor, hear me out. It wasn't my fault this time. I just passed out all of a sudden."

"Working yourself to the bone every day and not taking your medications properly, it's no wonder you fainted. An emergency got you this time, but if you can't handle it, you shouldn't be working. Ah, never mind. Just take care of yourself."

My doctor stopped mid-sentence, knowing my financial situation made not working an impossibility.

I nodded vigorously. I had a salary, and surviving wasn't an issue.

He glanced at my medical records and whispered, "You're due for an injection, which is quite pricey and needs booking in advance. Can you afford it right now?"

"I can book it in advance. Should I make a payment now?" I looked at him hopefully, calculating how much I would earn from the recent project. Relieved at my response, the doctor told me there was no need for a deposit and proceeded to book my appointment. But with chemotherapy scheduled for the following week, he was visibly worried.

The doctor sighed, "Your condition isn't too optimistic. A third relapse isn't out of the question, but you've got to stay positive. I suggest you start the chemo earlier and ensure you're well-nourished. You're too thin."

I looked at my hands, as frail as bird claws, making me sad. Indeed, I was thin, but eating was a challenge. Yet, thinking about the toll chemotherapy would take on my body, I steeled myself. Maybe it was time to delve into those protein shakes Clyde had stashed away. What was his was mine, after all.

gave me a few more instructions before leaving. Before exiting, he turned back. "Anything else I can help

mumbled, "Please don't tell my family

my husband, and the last thing I wanted was for him to worry. He'd probably think I was conspiring with the

of resignation, the

got caught up at the construction site and could only drop me off at

who was my sole remaining family and my husband, arrived,

every bit the concerned couple visiting a

person was over ten feet away from

nibble on my apple, mumbling, "How clever. The CEO's wife fainting to extort money is headline material.

Kayla moved to confront

mindful of

and she feigned

"Clyde, look at her,

over nothing to

echo her sentiments, but he remained silent, fixing his gaze on

like an eternity, he finally spoke. "What's going on? Are

sick." My expression was blank, but inside, I felt

reignited a flicker of hope within me. I was telling the truth, but clearly,

quickly interjected,

you're fine. It might just be heatstroke. Last time, you pretended to throw

was clear. I was pretending to be sick to get

whether I'm playing the victim. I did faint and got

looked at me with a heavy gaze. "What