When Love Becomes a Cage by Nora

Chapter 27

Chapter 27



I used to count the minutes until he'd call. But now, the name "Clyde" flashing on my phone screen felt like a visual assault. Thinking about the handful of projects I had tethered to the company, I dragged myself back to the office.

As I walk into Clyde's office, I spot Kayla storming out, her eyes red from crying. She shot me a glare filled with resentment as she passed by. Raising an eyebrow in confusion, I stepped inside and asked, "You needed to see me?"

Momentarily distracted by my newly chopped hair, Clyde blurted out, "Why'd you cut your hair?"

Ignoring his question, I repeated, "Was there something you needed?"

"Tonight's dinner at the Patterson Mansion. You're coming with me," he said, his tone laced with reluctance.

might not have left the small village if he hadn't been so excellent in his studies. I always felt he had a unique vibe, which attracted me. His identity remained a secret until desperation

to the family. Unfortunately, his grandmother was battling a severe heart condition, and he was busy taking care of his grandmother in the hospital and working in the company. He worked as a programmer and didn't make much. Meanwhile, I was dealing with my

forced upon me by my mother, who was also secretly fighting cancer. She wanted to spare us both from a future marred by illness and

won't despise me. He loves me so much.

grandmother is critically sick, and our family is in financial

Hold

had been diagnosed with cancer, which was why she got so desperate. "Mel, you may get the cancer, but look at our family... I know Clyde is a good guy. I also know you

you hold him off now, how about later? Will you two

Clyde might not disdain me for my cancer, but what if our children died of cancer, too? Would he

I didn't have the heart to ruin his hope. I was only twenty then and never thought I would die. I had cried my heart out for

wouldn't accept it if I gave it to him myself. Our break-up had been messy, fueled by misunderstandings and my mother's harsh words, accusing him of being

as ever,

days, leaving when rumors of me

a chance encounter at the hospital connected him with his biological grandfather, Merritt, needing a bone marrow transplant. That event saved Merritt's life and reinstated Clyde's place within the Patterson