When Love Becomes a Cage by Nora

Chapter 20

Chapter 20



Clyde had finally agreed to let me file for employees' compensation, and I wasn't about to save him any money. Plus, I had my reasons this time. Something about how Clyde looked at me today felt different, reminiscent of old times. That evening, I organized all the paperwork carefully and sent it to the finance department.

It took Kristin half an hour to respond to my message.

Kristin: [Is this your medical report? Mr. Patterson approved the reimbursement?]

I replied: [Yes, I'll come to see you tomorrow.]

I could imagine Kristin's shock. After all, my illness was a secret to everyone at the company.

Kristin was a veteran at the Patterson Group, handpicked by Clyde's grandfather to lend him a hand, so I trusted her, knowing she wouldn't gossip. And I believed she would tell him the truth if Clyde asked her.

I gently clutched my phone, fixing my eyes on my chat with Clyde.

I wondered what Clyde would look like if he knew I was sick.

The next day, I went to the finance office with my documents. Kristin was staring at me with the reimbursement forms, completely lost for words. "Melanie, is this for real? I thought you were joking. Are you sure you want the company to cover this?"

Of course, I was sure. Otherwise, I'd be paying

for me. She showed me how to organize the paperwork. But when she saw my documents, she paused. "How young are you to be dealing with this? When did you

the day before to prevent my wound from opening, and it was all detailed in the report. If Kristin could see

"Did Clyde tell you he approved my

"Said it counts as a work-related

ask anything else?" Seeing Kristin shake her head, I had nothing more

asked one more question, he might have learned about my condition, but he

he interested in why I asked for reimbursement. My medical report

when they found out their wife was sick, filled with regret and turning

had brought quite a few women around. Nearly everyone knew my husband was cheating on me. Yet, he never let go, and the office was rife with

looked at my documents and then at me with sympathy. "Melanie, you're talented and gorgeous. Why put up with this? You should be stacking your savings, you

was the wisdom of experience speaking. All love was transient. Only money was real. Finally, I

the most

I made Kristin promise not to tell

if he

won't change. He'd think I'm playing the victim.

would never know, and maybe that was for the

saw Kayla flaunting her new designer bag to

time. You

Clyde helped me reserve it. He chose the color.

you came to finance for reimbursement? A