When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

Clyde seemed to move further away with his phone before growling into it. "I'll do whatever I damn well please. It's none of your business." "Yeah, I'm not getting involved." I didn't want to get tangled up with him over this issue.

I should've made peace with it since he brought another woman home for the first time. Back then, I couldn't even tell why I was so unreasonable, feeling heartbroken every day. I'd wanted to tell him the truth more than once. But I was always afraid he'd be heartbroken, devastated, maybe even driven to despair.

I finally got it. Clyde wouldn't be heartbroken over someone like me. So, there was no point in explaining.

But I had no clue which word set him off this time as he roared again. "Melanie, what the hell are you on about? What right do you have to tell me what to do? Let me remind you. I paid for everything in this house. You have no right to boss me around." Clyde continued, "And threaten Kayla, huh? I'm telling you, she's different. Don't you dare mess with her! Get back to the office, or I won't give you a penny more!"

I thought he'd hang up, but he didn't. Stubbornly, he waited for a response from me.

After a long pause, I drawled, "Fine, but I'm charging overtime."

"Damn, fine!" When the call ended, I heard Kayla sweetly call him Cly.

A nickname that was once mine alone belonged to someone else. I knew whatever Clyde had with Kayla wasn't just a fling.

He confidently brought her to the office, openly showing off their relationship. He allowed Kayla to post their relationship on social media and even taunt me.

My heart was kinda heavy, but seeing the bonus he put in my account perked me right up. It somehow becomes easier to accept if I just thought of him as my boss.

But then he sent a barrage of voice messages. I turned off my phone, no longer caring. I knew what he would say. It'd been the same old speech for years, and I was sick of it. I was a money-grubber in his eyes, so what was the big deal about taking his money?

On the day I got discharged from the hospital, Jade had to go on a business trip and couldn't take me home. She kept insisting that someone from her family should escort me.

I lied, saying a colleague would pick me up, and even faked a selfie with a ride-share driver to ease her worries.

When I arrived home, I heard Rocky's whimpers as our neighbor, Brenda, hurriedly opened the door. "You're back. That's good. How are you feeling?" Brenda wiped her tears and gently took my hand, noting, "You've lost weight."

"Being thin is in fashion now. It saves me the trouble of dieting, right?" I patted Brenda's hand, finding solace in the warmth of a stranger's touch. It warmed my heart as well.

Rocky circled me, his tail nearly wagging into a propeller. I hugged his furry head and, for the first time in a while, I genuinely smiled.

"Clyde, such a big dog, kind of scary." Kayla's shriek startled both me and Rocky.

I looked at them, pushing a matching luggage set and dressed in lovers' outfits. They looked like a married couple.

Clyde frowned at me. "You've lost much weight?"

"None of your business." I patted Rocky's head, signaling him to quiet down.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Kayla seemed terrified, hiding behind Clyde, shivering. "Clyde, didn't you say you're gonna ditch the dog? Why's it still here? Clyde, I just got rid of my dog fur allergy. Can't we just give the dog away? Or, you know, leave it on the street..."

"What the hell did you say? Say that again. I dare you!" I shielded Rocky behind me, glaring at Kayla.

This woman, not content with taking my man, now wanted to cause harm to my beloved dog too?

Sensing Kayla's hostility and my anger, Rocky barked nonstop at them.

Clyde held Kayla close, his gaze on me filled with dislike. "What do you think you're doing? Melanie, since when did you start cursing like a shrew?"

"Cursing her? haven't started

cursing yetm just stating facts! You are thinking of hurting my dog huh? You better check yourself first, you bitch. Repeat it. I dare you! My chest heaved with anger, and I felt a sharp pain, my breathing shaky.

Clyde moved to intervene but immediately stopped as Kayla clutched at him. "Clyde, she's terrifying and so is her dog. Aren't there laws against keeping large breeds in the city? Let's call the potice. Aren't dangerous dogs supposed to be put down?"

Her words came with fear, but her eyes sparkled with provocation. I finally understood. Her allergies and her fear of dogs were just excuses. She knew I cared for Rocky and wanted to use that to hurt me. But she was wrong. I wouldn't just be sad. I'd be furious.

I handed the leash to Brenda and dragged Kayla toward me with all my might. Slap! Slap! Those two slaps held all the power I could muster, swelling Kayla's face instantly. Just as she tried to retaliate, Clyde stepped forward and pushed me away. "Melanie, you..." Accompanied by a bark, Rocky broke free and bit Clyde's arm, which he used to push me.