When Love Becomes a Cage by Nora

Chapter 33

Chapter 33



Right after Clyde's words hit the air, the office fell into an eerie silence.

Jade slammed her hands on the desk, standing up with a fierce look. "You're siding with your mistress over your wife now? Hitting below the belt, aren't you?"

Looking like a deer caught in headlights, Kayla pressed herself into Clyde's embrace.

And there I was, watching them, thinking how much they seemed to love each other. Out of all Clyde's mistresses, Kayla seemed to be the favorite. Kayla's earlier words echoed in my mind, saying the one unloved was the real mistress. I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Jade looked at me, worry etched all over her face. "Melanie, are you okay? You're scaring me."

I waved her off, wiping away the tears that had started from my laughter. "I'm fine. $200,000, huh? Sounds good to me."

I pulled out my phone, showing the PayPal account. "Let's make it happen."

Clyde looked stunned, as if he couldn't believe what was happening, his eyes mixed with confusion, hurt, and anger. He slammed his hand on the desk, standing up so abruptly that Kayla nearly fell over. "Melanie, is money all you care about? Do you see nothing beyond dollars?"

I just watched him quietly, saw the police arrive to calm things down, saw Kayla playing the victim, and watched Jade stand up for me. Suddenly, I didn't want to say anything. There was a time I would've said Clyde was all I saw, but not anymore.

to him. "Keep talking. And it won't just be $200,000 to

the

took a deep breath and stood up. "Officer, let's drop this.

was no reason to stick

my path. "Melanie, I know you don't like me, but you must understand you're the

looked at her with disdain, not understanding what made her

the jewelry you took from me was stealing." I grabbed her purse, spilling out

have forgotten about it if she hadn't come

a plastic bag from the desk and dumped the jewelry inside. "Officer, these belong

up. "As Mrs. Patterson, they're yours. As long as you're not causing trouble, you'll always be Mrs. Patterson, and no

wondering who he

I saw Clyde catching

sweet. It was like I was the villain tearing

Pulling Jade ready to jump into the fray again,

him? And Kayla, trying to copy you like back in our college days? Sticking to her stand-in and

listened quietly, soothingly patting

curious. "Melanie, how can you

to sort myself out? I want the money, not the man. There's nothing to be upset

words, eventually driving off without

dumping the retrieved jewelry on the coffee table. I didn't need those just didn't want Kayla to take

Jade and I