When Love Becomes a Cage by Nora

After Rachel left, the Design Department finally returned to its usual pace of work.

I knew Rachel still wanted to shine in her field, and I'd occasionally throw some minor design tasks her way. She accepted them gladly.

But every time she came in to submit her designs, she looked worn out.

Deep down, I felt guilty. The whole mess with Clyde was never meant to drag her in.

Whenever I tried to apologize, she'd just wave it off.

"It's fine. I've landed a pretty good job now, haven't I? No need for apologies."

And so, I'd end up saying nothing.

Just a week later, the HR department buzzed with news again - Rachel had taken over Kayla's role, becoming the executive assistant.

If Kayla's promotion had shocked everyone, Rachel's advancement even had the Pattersons talking.

When Fenton approached me, worry was evident in his eyes.

"Melanie, I'm really sorry. I had no idea things would turn out this way, or I wouldn't have recommended our senior to join our company. I heard at last night's business dinner that my brother brought her along..."

"It's fine. She's his assistant, it's normal for her to attend such events with him."

I kept my gaze fixed on the documents before me, pretending not to care.

to be somewhat discreet

I

even sure whom

Clyde? But he did it

maybe it was just

workload had increased, keeping me busy

rife with rumors, most thinking Rachel was set to usurp my position, and that

of the gossip, I kept my head down and

York Patterson occasionally coming out of the woodwork to hassle

long as he was alive and well, that was enough

hand, blocking York's attempts to undermine me multiple

easy either, but there wasn't much

hardly showed

I had to go to the construction site

volunteered, "Melanie,

accompany you. You've been

looking pale lately. Didn't

you

wen again?"

much of

been off for

apping on medication

out