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.

his advice, watching the medicine trickle into my bloodstream, feeling a sense of life getting injected back into

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

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

cared about was staying slim. Now, you better eat up. I'm taking you out for a hearty meal once

the warmth and comfort, my heart filling

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

crash at her place, but as we were about to

he chided. "You promised us the next project. Why the sudden cold

discussed collaborating with his company with Clyde, who had agreed. Why the

pacifying Jake,

l

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 by and watch their company

office, I

they? Never heard of them," I questioned,

them today. It's a new firm, not very

owner shared Kayla's last name. Things started

tried to stop me but recoiled at my fury. "Uh,

brushed past

Clyde frowned at my entrance, quickly wrapping it

the victim. "Clyde, Melanie just stormed in. I

glanced at me impatiently. "What's it this