When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

I already knew the supplier from working with the Patterson Group a few times before, but we weren't that close.

When I arrived at their office, the air was thick with tension.

"Ms. Crawford, what a surprise. You've got some free time on your hands now? Our little operation might be too small to handle a big fish like Patterson Group. Don't you think so?"

Jake Stone barely glanced up, lazily stirring his coffee as he spoke.

I was well aware that the mess was on Patterson Group's end, so I didn't put up much of a fight. If there was one thing I'd learned over the years, it was how to play the underdog in negotiations. Sometimes, playing up the gender card did work in the business world.

Especially since Jake was still around after hours, clearly waiting for someone from Patterson Group to show up. After all, no one else could supply on such short notice.

Jake's demeanor softened after a bit of smooth-talking, though he was far from satisfied. "We gave Patterson Group our best deal, rushed the job without extra charges, and now, you're holding back payment? That's hardly fair."

"You're right. This oversight was on us. But if you agree, we can process the payment immediately." I slid the paperwork across the table to him. "Mr. Stone, several big projects are coming up for Patterson Group that require even more supplies. I know your company has plenty of partners, but wouldn't a stable collaboration benefit both of us?"

Jake considered it for a moment, his interest piqued.

Though just a branch manager, Clyde might be the future CEO. Securing a partnership with Patterson Group could guarantee steady profits for years. Seeing his interest, I showed him several successful case studies and profit analyses.

Finally, Jake was convinced. “Ms. Crawford, you sure have a way with words. I had you pegged all wrong...”

He trailed off, but I got the gist. Everyone thought I was too timid to say anything, even if it meant being known as the wife with a cheating husband.

I laughed off the awkwardness. "Necessity is the mother of invention, right? Mr. Patterson sent me, so here I am. Luckily, you were willing to listen, or I wouldn't have gotten a word in edgewise."

Playing the role of the wronged wife had its perks. It earned me sympathy in our circles, and Jake no longer saw me as a threat. However, he insisted that the Patterson Group partner with him on their next project as a condition for supplying goods at the original price.

With that hurdle cleared, I was in high spirits. Once the delivery was on the way, I'd have a cool half-million in the bank, easing my financial worries.

I was ready to celebrate with a good night's sleep, but Clyde's incessant calls woke me up.

After hanging up on him several times, I finally picked up, thinking of the potential financial fallout if something happened to him.

His voice rang out, "Come get me, Velvet Nights."

"I'm sleeping. Goodnight." As I was about to hang up, Dailey's voice came through, sounding desperate. "Come on, Melanie. Clyde's lost it, calling everyone babe. He might lose it with me if you don't show up."

Dailey sounded genuinely

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concerned. As one of Clyde's few good friends, he'd always been decent tome. Reluctantly, I got dressed and headed out. I couldn't let Clyde make a scene. As his wife, at least on paper, it was my mess to clean up.

At the bar, Clyde was indeed drunk.

Seeing me, he lunged forward. "Babe, you came! They're all liars, saying you wouldn't come. I knew you cared."

He smothered my neck with kisses, making my skin crawl, but I couldn't push him away. Eventually, I let him be.

Dailey sighed in relief. "If you hadn't come, I was about to knock him out. Scary stuff." Then, he looked me over. "No wonder everyone said you were the campus belle. You look like a fresh-faced college girl."

I rushed out in my favorite white dress from college, Clyde's first gift to me.

Clyde shoved him away, protective as ever. "Back off. She's mine."

His possessive act made me laugh. He was always like that with my admirers back in college, calling me his girlfriend.

Lost in the memory, I got jolted back by Kayla's tearful voice. "Clyde."

He stiffened, then quickly let me go. "Kayla? You?"

His gaze shifted between us, sobering up with a hint of disgust. "Melanie, this is pathetic. Dressing like Kayla to win me back? You think I'd go home with you, huh?"

Turning to see Kayla in a white dress as I was, a mirror image of my college self, I wiped my neck where he'd kissed. "Clyde, don't dial the wrong number next time. I won't be picking you up. Never again."