When Love Becomes a Cage by Nora

I picked up the earrings, a pair of pretty heart-shaped ones with diamonds, just the type I used to adore.

I had bought from this brand after getting married, but that was before I ran into Clyde shopping with a young model. I haven't stepped foot in that store since.

Looking at Rachel's ears, I noticed she had just gotten them pierced.

Back in her hometown, she mentioned, only women of ill-repute got their ears pierced, so she never did. But now, she had.

And she didn't wait for her piercings to fully heal before wearing these rather large earrings.

Because I once loved such bold and sparkly earrings.

Little did she know, I had long stopped wearing earrings, let alone anything from that brand.

I gently placed the earrings aside, only to hear her snicker.

"Heard you sold your wedding ring for some cash, why the pretense? You're not divorcing him just because you want the money, right? Clyde will pay up. I'd advise you not to meddle in our affairs. You've always been after his money, from the start. Take my advice and quit while you're ahead!"

I looked up at Rachel, her sense of superiority clear. I responded with a smile, "Rachel, are you sure I'm the one intruding? Are you certain I've always been after his money?"

The truth is known to all, why deny it?

If it was money I wanted, Clyde wouldn't have been my choice from the beginning.

I would've chosen Vinson Russell, or any other well-off suitor, perhaps even taken over my family's business by now.

But life is not filled with what-ifs.

I just watched her silently until she looked a bit guilty.

still glared at me

what? Clyde

"Are you sure?"

question visibly rattled her. She knew

if he

you thought about how he'll treat

saw her shiver and then look at me with a mix

to when Clyde mentioned dealing with

Rachel's feare

who was pestering

understood Rachel's fear.

always been clear about

he's usually quite

came around, he would not spare

even targeted, by someone you adore is indeed a frightening and heartbreaking

subconsciously touched my ring finger, worried that

do if

not daring to ponder the consequences

and I sat in silence. We were both

Rachel slumped beside me.

"Melanie, you've always had

had nothing.

even Clyde's love. E chance,

slip?

me

away."