When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

Right after Clyde's words hit the air, the office fell into an eerie silence.

Jade slammed her hands on the desk, standing up with a fierce look. "You're siding with your mistress over your wife now? Hitting below the belt, aren't you?"

Looking like a deer caught in headlights, Kayla pressed herself into Clyde's embrace.

And there I was, watching them, thinking how much they seemed to love each other. Out of all Clyde's mistresses, Kayla seemed to be the favorite. Kayla's earlier words echoed in my mind, saying the one unloved was the real mistress. I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Jade looked at me, worry etched all over her face. "Melanie, are you okay? You're scaring me."

I waved her off, wiping away the tears that had started from my laughter. "I'm fine. $200,000, huh? Sounds good to me."

I pulled out my phone, showing the PayPal account. "Let's make it happen."

Clyde looked stunned, as if he couldn't believe what was happening, his eyes mixed with confusion, hurt, and anger. He slammed his hand on the desk, standing up so abruptly that Kayla nearly fell over. "Melanie, is money all you care about? Do you see nothing beyond dollars?"

I just watched him quietly, saw the police arrive to calm things down, saw Kayla playing the victim, and watched Jade stand up for me. Suddenly, I didn't want to say anything. There was a time I would've said Clyde was all I saw, but not anymore.

I pushed my phone closer to him. "Keep talking. And it won't just be $200,000 to fix this."

He scanned the code angrily.

As the payment confirmation beeped, I took a deep breath and stood up. "Officer, let's drop this. I won't press charges. Jade, let's go."

The money was in my account. There was no reason to stick around and watch those two lovebirds.

But Kayla seemed to want the last word, blocking my path. "Melanie, I know you don't like me, but you must understand you're the loser in this relationship. As Clyde's wife, what did you do except for asking Clyde for money? Catching mistresses and calling the cops?"

I looked at her with disdain, not understanding what made her say that shamelessly.

"After all, he gave me that money willingly, but the jewelry you took from me was stealing." I grabbed her purse, spilling out all the necklaces and rings she had taken.

I would have forgotten about it if she hadn't come over.

I grabbed a plastic bag from the desk and dumped the jewelry inside. "Officer, these belong to me. I can take them, right?"

Before the police could respond, Clyde spoke up. "As Mrs. Patterson, they're yours. As long as you're not causing trouble, you'll always be Mrs. Patterson, and no one can take that from you."

Kayla's tears seemed ready to flow, but Clyde's eyes were only on me. I smirked, wondering who he was trying to impress with that act of devotion. As I walked out, Kayla fainted dramatically behind me.

Turning back, I saw Clyde catching her in his arms.

How sweet. It was like I was the villain tearing apart this tragic love story.

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"Jade, let's go. Didn't you say we have packing to do?" Pulling Jade ready to jump into the fray again, away, I couldn't stand sharing the same air with them any longer.

Jade was still fuming as we got into the car. "Clyde's such a jerk. What's wrong with him? And Kayla, trying to copy you like back in our college days? Sticking to her stand-in and pretending deep feelings, it's disgusting."

I listened quietly, soothingly patting her back.

Jade was curious. "Melanie, how can you not be angry?"

I shrugged. "What's there to be angry about? He paid. Isn't it better to have money to sort myself out? I want the money, not the man. There's nothing to be upset about."

Jade looked stunned by my words, eventually driving off without another word.

Back home, I quickly packed my stuff, dumping the retrieved jewelry on the coffee table. I didn't need those just didn't want Kayla to take them. Then, I changed the locks and texted Clyde the new code.

Everything settled, and Jade and I left.

Jade suggested, "Melanie, stay at my place. I've got my apartment now. It'll be easier to look after you."

I said, "No need. I have an apartment."

I winked at her, leaving her visibly shocked. "When did you get an apartment?"

I explained, "It's not mine. It's my Mom's."

She bought a small apartment in her last months in her name. It was small but home to someone I loved, so it was home to me, too.

Worried I'd be upset, Jade insisted I shouldn't stay there. Finally, she agreed to let me take a look and decide later.

But when I walked into the apartment, it was a mess, dust covering everything.

Jade quickly dragged me out, covering her nose. "Forget it. I'll get someone to clean it up. You're staying with me."

I nodded, my gaze lingering on the room. It was small and dirty, yet it felt like home.

My mom spent her last days there. It seemed it would be my refuge, too.