When Love Becomes a Cage by Nora

Chapter 26

Chapter 26



The next day, I texted Clyde's secretary, Gemma, to call in sick. I kept it vague, mentioning I had personal matters to attend to without diving into any details.

Gemma's response was brief, a simple "Okay," without further inquiry.

Being Merritt Patterson's right hand, Gemma was Clyde's most trusted assistant. So, getting her approval was as good as getting Clyde's.

After the unpleasantness of the previous day, Clyde probably thought I was being petulant and throwing a tantrum. He didn't mince his words when he texted me, stating I was absent for not taking a leave and that I'd lose my perfect attendance bonus for the month.

After doing the math, the loss wasn't as painful as I thought, so I didn't fret much about it.

Jade was already waiting for me downstairs early in the morning, holding some sandwiches. "I know you're not feeling up to eating much, but you've got to try a bit. They say chemotherapy can take a toll on you."

With a look of concern, she watched as I took big bites of the sandwich, finally breathing a sigh of relief before driving me to the hospital.

nervous during the chemotherapy, especially when I noticed a young girl with a bald head nearby. I instinctively grabbed Jade's

smile. "People lose their hair during chemo.

wear a wig. You

the

let's

mouth as if to say

my sky! I'll buy you the fanciest wig!" Seeing the tears in her eyes, I nodded vigorously. "I want the most expensive one. Or you

her long hair and shook her head. "Spare my few strands, will you? I'd

caught each other's eye and burst out laughing, the sadness we'd felt just moments before temporarily

immediately feel sick from the chemo, which was

asked Jade to stop.

only a haircut, she agreed to accompany me inside. My hair had grown since high school, only trimmed

short? It's such a pity," the barber asked for the third time, but I was determined. "Keep my hair, please. I want to make it into a

the hospital, the barber

away to wipe her tears secretly while I just smiled. It was just a haircut, not the

carefully cut and preserved my hair, offering encouragement and sharing stories