When Love Becomes a Cage by Nora

I couldn't tell if Rachel was gunning for Mrs. Patterson's spot or the role of the design director.

This time, my colleagues rose to my defense without any prompt from me.

"Look, Mr. Patterson, all three department projects are currently under Ms. Crawford's wing. We can't just switch gears like this."

"Exactly," another chimed in. "We've just sealed the deal with Hightide Enterprises. There's no way they'd agree to a sudden change."

"And Rachel stepping in across departments? That doesn't sit right. We're about to wrap things up here."

"Is she trying to pull a fast one? Undermine the project at the eleventh hour?"

Wrapping up the project meant it was almost time for bonuses to be distributed.

Switching me out now meant not only would my bonus vanish into thin air, but Rachel's name would likely be the one emblazoned on the final project design. Rachel knew this, and of course, so did Clyde.

Clyde furrowed his brow, clearly in a bind, but Rachel's gentle tug at his sleeve seemed to make up his mind for him.

"Given Melanie's health issues, she'll take a step back for now. The Design Department will be Rachel's to oversee." "Melanie, hand over all the project materials to Rachel. No need to hold anything back."

as I let out a simple,

down, I had seen this

Rachel wouldn't dare to be

for me had once made him considerate, he wouldn't

I was his wife; it was a testament to my capabilities. Whether he was truly mad or feigning ignorance, I had no intention of

follow the leadership's decision. I'll start the

failing, and if Rachel was eager to take over, I was willing to

broke through Rachel's

even had the audacity to

let one person's

it as you see fit," I responded emotionlessly. "I've

hard copies and the files on your computer." Rachel's frown

"Sorry, my laptop is personal property,

projects, who knew what havoc she might

least there was

be cornered, I might as well be facing a death sentence in

shot me a