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.

my fists, striving to keep

I

I appreciate what you

me back then, but Clyde and I no longer have feelings for each other. It might

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

gaze, revealing the

made a scene at my house for ages and then fell

he dragged himself between home and the hospital, which was when

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

out you had gone

dad got into trouble, he couldn't leave to find you, only begging me

your mom would've been killed by those people long ago. She survived until your return,

loophole in his story,

was obstructed.

Clyde, I don't believe that. At least, his feelings for you are undeniable. You

of you young people, nor do I want to. But the

both fell victim to schemes. Since you owe

heart was tumultuous, struggling

suspected foul play in my father's death

was preoccupied with studies and love,

was interconnected, ultimately trapping

my mother's survival was all thanks

many overlooked details rushed back to

my mom, her access to high-end hospital rooms, and the specialists we could

head, unable

value loyalty and rigs. So, let's not divorce

noousness. So, let's not

l

until the child

Chapter 89



can't I

"Leave, now."

was tinged with frustration, and Clyde knew

at Merritt, before

left, I hurriedly

an agreement that he would help me with the divorce, that he wouldn't

to be some kind of lady of the manor, expected to turn a blind eye while my husband brought home another woman? Even if

agree, but circumstances

right in front of me, constantly

you're a good kid. This mess is indeed Clyde's fault. He's been

Everyone in the Patterson family knew about

that I remained silent, he sighed

recovered. Kayla didn't just give him

"She poisoned him?"

being pregnant and potentially making Clyde infertile made my skin crawl. Her child would

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

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

Given the Lairds' stance, anything could happen in these three

Kayla's unborn child wasn't just her bargaining chip; it

a deep breath and looked up at

the divorce. Let Kayla marry into the family.

her options and won't collaborate

on the path to divorce, and now with Kayla pregnant, it seemed

Clyde, nor the Patterson family. She likely couldn't wait

a perfect arrangement to me, and I couldn't fathom

Dream on about entering our doors in