When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

Since Clyde had his lawyer bail Kayla out, and we were now open to settling, it made sense that she could walk free.

Seeing the lawyer's pale face, I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Cleaning Clyde's messes over the years must have been a real pain.

But Jade didn't beat around the bush after receiving Clyde's favors. She signed the peace agreement without hesitation.

The cops added a few more words of caution, having Kayla sign a promise letter before finally letting her go.

But no sooner had we stepped out of the station than Kayla's tears stopped, replaced by a malicious glare. "Melanie, I always knew you only cared about money. Is Clyde's company worth less than this petty cash to you? You've never loved Clyde. You've been scamming him from the start! You're just a gold digger. What makes you think you can stand by Clyde's side? You'll only bring him ridicule!"

Standing behind her, Clyde didn't utter a word but looked at me with a profound gaze.

I glanced back at him, offering a sarcastic smile and thinking, 'Do I not love him? My love for him is so strong that it nearly cost me my life. But now, I'm sure my love for him is fading away, soon to be gone.'

"Tell that to him, and while you're at it, have him sign the divorce papers." I pulled Jade away, refusing to glance back at Kayla.

Knowing Kayla must be fuming made no difference to me. I couldn't care less at this point. She still didn't get it. It wasn't me who couldn't let go. It was Clyde. Everything would settle down once Clyde and I divorced.

Infuriated by my words, Kayla yelled, "Melanie, you don't even wear your wedding ring. Is that to signal to other men that you're available? I know you were the campus belle with numerous suitors, but so what? You're despicable, always searching for something better!"

I stopped in my tracks, looking at them on the steps. Despite the weariness, Kayla's round face and big eyes, not to mention the dimples she deliberately accentuated, really did resemble me. She must have realized it, too. She resembled me enough for Clyde to fall for her, so she even changed her makeup to look less like herself.

I laughed mockingly. "Go ahead and find someone if you can. Get Clyde to divorce me first."

"Melanie!" Clyde and Kayla called out my name, making it sound tainted to my ears.

Clyde stepped forward, grabbing my left hand. His eyes filled with disappointment when he saw no trace of the ring. "Melanie, why aren't you wearing the ring? You know I made it myself! Does our love mean nothing to you? You care about dollars only, don't you?"

"Can you live without money? Is today the first day you noticed she's not wearing the ring?"

Jade yanked my hand away, shielding me behind her. "You spend so much on your mistress, even defending her when she broke the law. But your lawful wife, struggling even to afford medical bills, had to..."

I quickly covered Jade's mouth with my hand. "It's just low blood sugar. No big deal. Don't make a fuss and embarrass us."

I would never let Clyde know my

condition if Kayla tried a bit harder, we could get divorced, and there was no need to burden him with guilt, preventing him from letting me go

I knew Clyde well. Even if he hated me, he wouldn't just ignore it knowing I was sick.

But I needed him to let go, not cling on.

Realizing she might have said too much, Jade glared at Clyde fiercely, then swiftly led me away. Once home, she asked with teary eyes, "Why didn't you tell him? He deserves to feel guilty!"

I understood she defended me, but I

no longer wished to bring it up. "Jade, you must understand Kayla isn't the first, nor will she be the last. It's pointless to make him feel guilty. It's better to leave him sooner rather than having him guilt-trip without divorcing, right?"

I rested my head on her shoulder, whispering, "I just want to live my remaining days, never knowing when the illness might return."

Secretly, I had researched my

condition If it came back a thirdProperty © NôvelDrama.Org.

time, I would be dying. Though there were rare instances of living another twenty years or so, I had never been that lucky.

That night, Jade held me as we slept, crying quietly behind me several times. I pretended not to notice, forcing myself to sleep.

Clyde showed up at the Design Department unannounced the next day at work. "Come to my office."

I nodded, gathered the documents for him to sign, and followed him upstairs.

Kayla wasn't at her desk, probably taking a day off. After such an ordeal, a break was only natural.

Noticing some luxurious handbags on the ground, I smirked. Clyde had even prepared gifts for her. A consolation prize? Quite lavish indeed. "Here, I'm giving this back to you." Clyde's voice broke the silence. Turning around, I saw him pushing a jewelry box toward me. Seeing my hesitation, he opened it, and I caught my breath. There, lying silently, was the wedding ring I had Jade sell earlier.