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?"

was sure. Otherwise, I'd

She showed me how to organize the paperwork. But when she saw my documents, she paused. "How young are you

me just the day before to prevent my wound from opening, and it was all detailed in the report. If Kristin could see it, I was sure anyone who

question but asked, "Did

it counts as

else?" Seeing Kristin shake her head,

my condition, but he didn't. I

care about me, nor was he interested in why I asked for reimbursement. My medical report had been sitting where he

their wife was sick, filled with regret and

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

my documents and then at me with sympathy. "Melanie, you're talented and gorgeous. Why put up with this? You

of experience speaking. All love was transient. Only

I envied Kayla, who had the most clear-sighted view at

left, I made Kristin

looked puzzled. "Maybe if he knew,

think I'm playing the

maybe that was for

finance department, I saw Kayla flaunting her new designer bag to

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

Clyde helped me reserve it. He chose the color.

notice me, exclaiming dramatically. "Melanie, you came to finance for reimbursement? A few