When Love Becomes a Cage by Nora

Chapter 43

Chapter 43



Silence fell over the room like a heavy winter blanket as Merritt spoke.

I tried to interject a few times, but Merritt's icy stare sent me retreating into silence.

Eventually, Merritt dismissed Clyde and me to our room. We always had a room at the Patterson Mansion, though it had seen little use. Clyde always had a penchant for company, rarely finding his way back to the Patterson Mansion.

Still styled to my liking, the room brought a lump to my throat. It was a stark reminder of how much had changed, yet everything remained the same. The joy we shared on our wedding day seemed like a distant memory, replaced by a heavy sorrow hanging in the air.

Initially, I believed the Patterson family welcomed me to be part of them with open arms. However, reality had a different plan, slapping me hard with its cold truth.

After a shower, I collapsed onto the bed, my phone buzzing with a reminder from the nurse about tomorrow's chemotherapy session.

Dreading the side effects, I messaged Jade, asking her to pick me up from Patterson Mansion the next day.

Jade asked, [Back at Patterson Mansion? Is it because of the rumors swirling online?]

worry. I'll be there first thing in the morning. I won't let the

a laugh out of me, warming my heart in the process. It seemed

the bathroom, coughing heavily. "Who's making you laugh

away, presenting him with my

to this room? There was only

as he prodded my shoulder. "Why

of your business!" I snapped, shrugging off his touch and

lingered behind me with his

you going to sleep? I'm turning off

fear of hurting me, but he didn't let go. "Melanie, stop this nonsense. As long as you behave, you'll

and let go of my

I'll buy you clothes, and all the jewelry

puzzled by his words. He seemed embarrassed, his face turning

were long gone. He used to tell me not to be upset, admitting fault was his. He'd joke about aging

aside, finding a semblance of calm. "Clyde, do you even remember

look

né

was from our anniversary, the other a promise ring from our first week after dating. And the earrings were custom-made