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?"

course, I was sure. Otherwise, I'd

But when she saw my

my wound from opening, and it was all detailed in the report. If Kristin could see it, I was sure anyone

question but asked, "Did Clyde tell you he

"Said it counts as a work-related

didn't ask anything else?" Seeing Kristin shake her head, I

about my condition, but he didn't. I let out a deep sigh, my

I asked for reimbursement. My medical report had been sitting

the heroes in novels when they found out their wife was sick, filled with regret and turning over a new leaf. But he didn't even glance at my medical report,

relationship with Clyde wasn't a secret at the company. And he 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

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

the wisdom of experience speaking. All

the most clear-sighted view at the

left, I made Kristin promise not

"Maybe if he

helplessly. "Clyde won't change. He'd think I'm playing the victim. Better

and maybe that

leaving the finance department, I saw Kayla flaunting

limited edition. I've waited in line for a long time. You need to spend millions a year

it. He chose

for reimbursement? A few hundred bucks worth the trouble? Are you that hard