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.

into my bloodstream, feeling a sense of life getting injected back into

"But you need to up your intake. Your body will burn through more, so make sure to

two boxes of gourmet protein bars, pretending they were from someone else. But she forgot the receipt

she turned into 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 for a hearty meal once a week, and if you lose any weight, I'm

head on her shoulder, feeling the

and a parched mouth. My doctor said these

at her place, but as we were about

you keep your word?" he chided. "You promised us the next

had discussed collaborating with his company with Clyde, who

Jake, I

l

vital 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 to me. I couldn't stand

in the office, I

Never heard of them," I questioned, looking

on them today. It's a new

the owner shared Kayla's last name. Things started

me but recoiled at

I brushed past

Clyde frowned at my

"Clyde, Melanie

glanced at me impatiently.