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

I appreciate what

then, but Clyde and I no longer have

who helped you then, it

gaze,

made a scene at my

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

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

out you

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

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

caught the loophole in

obstructed. He never

Clyde, I don't believe that. At least, his feelings for you are undeniable. You owe him." Merritt's

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

fell victim to schemes. Since you owe

heart was tumultuous, struggling to

father's death and even in our family business' sudden

and love, clueless about corporate affairs.

everything was interconnected, ultimately trapping

survival was all thanks to

many overlooked details

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

bowed my head, unable to

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

noousness. So, let's not

l

child is

Chapter 89



can't

"Leave, now."

with frustration, and Clyde knew

at

hurriedly spoke

had an agreement that he would help me with the divorce, that he wouldn't make things difficult

to turn a blind

did agree, but circumstances

front

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

my head down, not saying a word. Everyone in the Patterson family knew about his recklessness, but

I remained silent,

not fully recovered. Kayla didn't just give him sleeping pills; there was

"She poisoned him?"

made my skin crawl. Her child would be the sole heir

affect his health too

metabolize the toxin,

stance, anything could happen in these three years. He

her bargaining

breath and looked

divorce. Let Kayla marry into the family. Regardless of who's backing her, her

her options and won't

already on the path to divorce, and now with

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

a perfect arrangement to me, and

Dream on about entering our doors in