When Love Becomes a Cage by Nora

Chapter 89



"Grandpa, why can't I just..."

"Leave, now."

Merritt's tone was tinged with frustration, and Clyde knew better than to argue.

Clyde glanced at me, then at Merritt, before finally exiting the study.

As soon as he left, I hurriedly spoke up, "Merritt, didn't we agree?"

We had an agreement that he would help me with the divorce, that he wouldn't make things difficult for me. But what was this?

Was I supposed to be some kind of lady of the manor, expected to turn a blind eye while my husband brought home another woman? Even if Kayla wasn't even in the running!

"We did agree, but circumstances have changed."

Merritt seemed to age right in front of me, constantly massaging his temples.

"Melanie, you're a good kid. This mess is indeed Clyde's fault. He's been reckless over the years."

I kept my head down, not saying a word. Everyone in the Patterson family knew about his recklessness, but they were his flesh and blood. I was just an outsider.

Seeing that I remained silent, he sighed again.

"Clyde's not fully recovered. Kayla didn't just give him sleeping pills; there was a toxin involved."

"She poisoned him?"

The thought of Kayla being pregnant and potentially making Clyde infertile made my skin crawl. Her child would be the sole heir to the Patterson legacy.

He nodded, "We only found out recently. The toxin won't affect his health too much, but it will definitely complicate having children."

"The doctor said it would take at least two years to metabolize the toxin, and with treatment, Clyde can't father any children for three years."

I understood his implication. Given the Lairds' stance, anything could happen in these three years. He couldn't take that risk.

So Kayla's unborn child wasn't just her bargaining chip; it was Clyde's too.

I took a deep breath and looked up at him determinedly.

"Merritt, then let's proceed with the divorce. Let Kayla marry into the family. Regardless of who's backing her, her promises won't exceed Mrs. Patterson's status."

"She's a pragmatic woman. She'll weigh her options and won't collaborate with outsiders."

I was already on the path to divorce, and now with Kayla pregnant, it seemed like everyone could be satisfied.

Kayla despised me, but not Clyde, nor the Patterson family. She likely couldn't wait to become Mrs. Patterson.

It seemed like a perfect arrangement to me, and I couldn't fathom Merritt's hesitation.

But Merritt scoffed disdainfully, "Her? Dream on about entering our doors in her next life."

"Melanie, I'll repeat myself. You're the only Mrs. Patterson, and that won't change."

"I've seen your capabilities, and I understand your heart. No one is more suitable to stabilize things than you, so you and Clyde cannot divorce."

This was a complete departure from what I had anticipated. I wanted to argue, but one look from Merritt told me it was futile.

Kayla's background indeed made her unsuitable as a match for the Patterson family, something I had overlooked.

striving

I

appreciate

Clyde and I no longer

wasn't me who helped you then, it was Clyde. I won't take credit

his gaze,

scene at my house for ages and then fell

and he dragged himself between home and the hospital, which was when the Patterson family took him

himself to grooming Clyde, recognizing his potential. Unfortunately, Clyde's

you

was surrounded by wolves When your dad got into trouble, he couldn't leave

killed by those people long ago. She survived until your

loophole in his story,

your dad's death but was obstructed. He

are no feelings between you and Clyde, I don't believe that. At least, his feelings for you

you young people, nor do I want to. But the Patterson Group cannot be

fell victim to schemes. Since you owe him, you should be the one to protect

heart was tumultuous,

play in my father's death and even in our family business'

preoccupied with studies and love, clueless about corporate affairs. Then I fell

was interconnected, ultimately trapping

survival was all thanks

details rushed back

to high-end hospital rooms, and the

bowed my head, unable

I know you value loyalty and rigs. So,

noousness. So, let's not

l

child is

Chapter 89



can't

"Leave, now."

was tinged with frustration, and Clyde knew better than to

me, then at Merritt,

I hurriedly spoke up,

agreement that he would help me with the divorce, that he wouldn't make things difficult for me. But

I supposed to be some kind of lady of the manor, expected to turn a blind eye while my husband brought

but circumstances

age right in front of me, constantly massaging his

kid. This mess is indeed Clyde's fault. He's been reckless over the

saying a word. Everyone in the Patterson family knew about his recklessness, but they were his flesh and blood. I was just an

that I remained silent,

didn't just give him sleeping pills; there was a toxin

"She poisoned him?"

made my skin crawl. Her child would be

"We only found out recently. The toxin won't affect his health too much, but

it would take at least two years to metabolize the toxin, and

Lairds' stance, anything could happen in these three years.

wasn't just her bargaining chip;

a deep breath and looked

the family. Regardless of who's backing her, her promises

her options and won't collaborate with

divorce, and now with Kayla pregnant,

Patterson family. She likely couldn't wait to become Mrs.

arrangement to me, and I couldn't fathom

"Her? Dream on about entering our