When Love Becomes a Cage by Nora

The moment I was wheeled into the hospital, I was utterly dazed.

My hand drifted downwards, and sure enough, there was a lot of blood. But why didn't it hurt? Why couldn't I feel anything?

Nurses kept reassuring me, urging me to take deep breaths, but why should I be reassured?

It wasn't until Warren Chandler's stoic face came into view that I realized I was crying.

"Dr. Chandler, my baby..."

"We'll handle the procedure, just a minor one. You just stay calm. Eliana has arranged for a hearty beef and vegetable stew for you after the surgery. It'll help you recover... just sleep it off..." He and a few other medical staff pushed the gurney along.

Looking up at his tightly pressed lips, I saw him anxious for the first time.

Feeling my gaze, he looked down. This time, his usual sharp tongue was replaced with a simple reassurance, "Don't worry."

A smile flickered across my face. "Tell Eliana not to come."

Clyde was her unrequited love from college days, the one that got away.

I knew she claimed to despise Clyde, but deep down, she was still hung up on the college version of Clyde, just like me.

Would she become disillusioned with love upon knowing what had become of Clyde now?

Tears rolled down my cheeks, uncertain if they were for her or for me, as I slipped into unconsciousness under anesthesia. When I woke up, I knew the child was gone.

a

a child. Now, with the same flat belly, I knew I had lost a tiny life. "Melanie!" Eliana and Jade's faces appeared before

a weak

"What's up..."

sounded terrible, like a broken

Eliana burst into tears.

idiot, how could

him out cold?

went too far,

louder, while Jade, who was on

feeling alright anywhere? Does your stomach

I'll get

want." evel.

gently squeezed her hand

never meant to be

to terms with

both their hands, I tried

Eliana's crying only grew louder, eventually

enough is enough. Anyone would think

expressionlessly, checked my IV, and took

bike at this point; barely running and about to fall

toll on your