When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

"Is there a problem, Ethan? You're not suggesting you want to sabotage the baby's arrival, are you?"

"Trying to snatch someone's inheritance now, are you? That blatant?"

Lucy didn't hold back, lunging to snatch the photo from Ethan's grasp.

Eva wasn't about to be outdone, lifting the photo high out of reach.

"Clyde and Melanie expecting a baby should be cause for fireworks, but the woman carrying it might not be carrying a Patterson heir!" "Look at this photo. This woman's been around, slept with who knows how many men, and the cops found out she's got a daughter!" "This kind of woman, how many times has she schemed against Melanie? You really think she's carrying Clyde's child?"

Eva came over to me, gripping my hands tightly.

"Melanie, don't you worry. Ethan and I, we've got your back."

"In our eyes, you're the only Mrs. Patterson that counts. No one else!"

Lucy, seizing the moment, launched into a tirade.

York, meanwhile, just watched, keeping his silence.

I knew all too well Ethan's family wasn't genuinely on my side. It was all because I couldn't bear a child, and now their son returning from abroad saw a chance to step into the Patterson Corporation.

The Lairds must have their own agenda, using the name of that child to achieve their own goals wasn't off the table.

I stayed silent, knowing this wasn't a place for me to speak.

Besides, I was soon to be no longer part of this family, right?

"Enough! What's with all this disgraceful noise?"

Merritt slammed his cane down, and the room fell silent.

Ethan, begrudgingly, spoke up, "Uncle, this child might not even be a Patterson. You can't be serious!"

Eva muttered under her breath, "If we could find out, so could the press. Uncle, do you really want the Pattersons associated with a woman of her...reputation?"

That hit a nerve with Merritt, touching on his greatest concern.

When Clyde proposed to me, the family was against it, believing my bankrupt family wasn't a match for the Pattersons.

But Clyde stood his ground, and eventually, Merritt didn't object too much, given our college sweetheart history.

But replacing me with Kayla would surely meet with universal objection.

Her past coming to light, with the inte's sleuthing prowess, would spell scandal for the Pattersons, uncovering her history with men, her child, and her past as an escort.

"Enough, everyone go home. We'll handle our affairs privately."

"Clyde, Melanie, upstairs with me."

Without another word, Merritt headed upstairs.

Clyde and I exchanged looks, supporting each other as we followed.

Behind us, the Lairds continued their uproar, held back by the staff.

After all, this was Clyde's family matter, not theirs to interfere.

Both families had their motives, clear even to an outsider.

"Clyde, is the child yours?"

In his study, Merritt cut straight to the chase.

Clyde glanced at me, guilt in his eyes, "I'm not sure."

"I've only been with her twice, and we were careful."

His voice was barely a whisper, yet it echoed in the study.

I breathed deeply, maintaining my composure.

I had seen him with others before; what was this in comparison?

He reached for my hand, but I pulled away.

Whether it was once or twice with Kayla, it made no difference to me.

And there were certainly others besides Kayla.

Merritt pondered for a moment before looking up at Clyde.

"So, there's a chance. They wouldn't dare lie about something this big."

"Even if there's only a 1% chance the child is yours, we can't ignore it. Understand?"

I knew what he meant. Merritt had

always wanted Clyde to have an bet take the risk. Content beuldn't

to secure his position. He his position. He couldn't

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But Kayla had committed murder, and that troubled me.

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"Merritt, she killed Isla..."

"I'll handle it. We can't have a Patterson heir born in jail."

Merritt waved the concern away as if it were nothing.

I stayed silent, realizing there was no changing the situation.

With the Patterson influence, protecting Kayla wouldn't be hard.

After Isla's death, her family seemed to disappear, likely silenced by Kayla, ensuring her bold move against the

ferns.

But then Clyde spoke, his voice "No, Melanie and I

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He clenched his fists, looking at Merritt, a trace of defiance in his eyes.

He tried to reach for me again, but I avoided his touch.

Merritt frowned at our interaction, then sighed deeply.

"I'll settle Kayla's issue. It won't affect her child's birth mother, but Kayla won't be welcomed here."

"Melanie, you're still the only Mrs. Patterson. That won't change."

My eyes widened in disbelief.

"Merritt, but we agreed..."

Merritt raised a hand to stop me, then sternly told Clyde, "Step outside, I need a word with Melanie."