When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie) novel Chapter 13

"Melanie, what did you just say? I dare you to repeat it!" Clyde let go of Kayla's hand and stormed to where I stood.

Rocky growled again, prompting the officers to pull him away quickly.

I cleaned my tears and looked at Clyde coldly. "I said we're getting a divorce. Are you deaf? You are acting like this even in the police station. We had nothing left between us, Clyde. Let's have a good ending. Let’s divorce. I'll take my dog and make way for your mistress."

Tears rolled down my cheeks. I wasn't sure if I was acting or if the pain was real.

Something flitted across his eyes before he became enraged again. "You're divorcing me over a dog? Am I worth less to you than a dog? I swear I'll remove that mutt today, and nobody can stop me."

I held Rocky close as Kayla grabbed Clyde. She was practically gleaming with excitement. "Clyde, let it go. Why lower yourself to argue with a beast?"

As Kayla spoke, her eyes gleamed, all victorious-like at me.

Brenda spat in disgust. "Shameless creature. Can't you see, Clyde? It's not about the dog. Melanie is divorcing you because of everything else, right?"

The police station was buzzing with people, and bystanders began to interrupt.

"The mistress blames the wife, and the husband defends the mistress? What a shame. Just get a divorce."

"Such a big man, taking his anger out on a dog? That says a lot about his temper. Could be an abuser."

"Young lady, if it comes down to it, file for divorce. Isn't domestic abuse exempt from cooling-off periods?"

As the crowd started to get riled up, the officers quickly intervened, ushering us into an office. I knew it was just a domestic dispute. Clyde might have moral issues, but that wouldn't be enough to get him in real trouble.

I saw a young officer rush over and whisper something to his colleagues, their expressions changing as they looked at Clyde. The Patterson family's powerful heir was someone they didn't want to offend. In the end, the police gave him a stern warning, and that was that.

As we left, a young female officer looked at me with sympathy. "It's hard to judge family matters, but... if you need to, consider filing a lawsuit."

She didn't say much, but I was grateful. It was the most help she could offer within her capacity. I nodded at her, then left the police station with Rocky and Brenda.

Outside, Kayla was fussing over Clyde. "Clyde, your wound's reopened. It's bleeding."

The tiny bloodstain on his arm was nothing compared to what I had endured the day before. What was the big deal? I glanced at them and walked away without a word.

"Melanie, stop right there!" Clyde's commanding voice echoed, but I didn't stop. Rocky tried to turn back, but I nudged him gently.