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,

saw my documents, she paused. "How young are

from opening, and it was all detailed in the report. If Kristin could see it, I was sure anyone who wanted to look

her question but asked, "Did Clyde tell

"Said it counts as

else?" Seeing Kristin shake her head, I

question, he might have learned about my condition, but he didn't. I let out a deep sigh, my hopes

interested in why I asked for reimbursement. My medical report had been sitting where he usually dropped

hoped he might act like 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

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

at me with sympathy. "Melanie, you're talented and gorgeous. Why put up

it was the wisdom of experience speaking. All love was transient. Only money was

had the most clear-sighted

left, I made Kristin promise not to tell

looked puzzled. "Maybe if he knew, he'd

He'd think I'm

and maybe that

flaunting her

edition. I've waited in line for a long time. You need

Clyde helped me reserve it. He chose the color. Pretty,

Kayla seemed to notice me, exclaiming dramatically. "Melanie, you came to finance for reimbursement? A few hundred bucks worth the trouble?