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.

noticed a young girl with a bald head nearby. I instinctively grabbed Jade's hand tightly. Jade saw the girl, too, her eyes filled with limitless

their hair during chemo. We decided to shave it off first rather than

nodded vigorously. "Don't worry, miss. You can wear a wig. You can find many pretty ones at the wig shop behind

seven or eight, blissfully unaware of the gravity of her situation, excitedly talking about the beautiful pigtails at

smiling. "Yeah, let's check it out

if to say something but just

after my treatment that she spoke up. "Melanie, you're always the brightest star in 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 could grow out your hair and make

head. "Spare my few strands,

and burst out laughing,

didn't immediately feel sick from the chemo,

Jade to stop. "I want to get a short

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

to cut it 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 wig. Your shop can

the barber understood my situation and nodded

to wipe her tears secretly while I just smiled.

my hair, offering encouragement and sharing stories