When Love Becomes a Cage by Nora

Chapter 23

Chapter 23



Ever since that day, my relationship with Clyde had gone south.

He stopped coming home, and I stopped asking where he was. Even at work, we acted like strangers.

I was relishing the newfound freedom. Life without him was significantly lighter. Kayla also stopped her provocations, though she always sported a smug look whenever our paths crossed.

'Just another jerk,' I thought. If it hadn't been Kayla, it would've been someone else.

After all, the world was all lookalikes. Finding another Clyde wouldn't be hard. But I had bigger fish to fry than to dwell on their soap opera, especially since I was about to start my treatments.

With Clyde's approval, the finance department promptly processed my bonus. Armed with the cash, I felt empowered and splurged on some health supplements.

After scheduling with my doctor, I took some time off work.

Jade, always looking out for me, took off to keep me company too.

"The first session might hit you with heavy side effects. You might want to stay overnight for observation," The doctor cautioned as he administered the treatment.

bloodstream, feeling a

good. That's a positive sign," he encouraged. "But you need to up your intake. Your body will burn through more, so make

me two boxes of gourmet protein bars, pretending they were

a mother hen, chattering away. "Back in college, all you cared about was staying slim. Now, you better eat up. I'm taking you out

on her shoulder, feeling the warmth and comfort, my heart filling

effects hit hard on me, like dizziness, nausea, and a parched mouth. My doctor said these were all common and told me to make sure I

wanted me to crash at her place, but as we were about to leave,

your word?" he chided. "You promised

puzzled me. I had discussed collaborating with his company with

pacifying Jake, I rushed

l

our partnership with the Stone family was. Breaking a promise could tarnish the Patterson Group's reputation. Clyde might be a piece of work, but the Patterson family had been good

in the office, I unearthed the

Never heard of them," I

decided on them today. It's a new firm,

noticed the owner shared Kayla's last

Clyde's office, Kayla tried to stop me but recoiled at my fury. "Uh,

brushed

on a call, Clyde frowned at my

victim. "Clyde, Melanie just stormed in. I couldn't

impatiently. "What's it this