When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie) novel Chapter 2

I looked like something straight out of a horror show then. Three months back, the cancer came knocking again, and I'd withered away to nothing but skin and bones.

Then there was Kayla, pure and pretty as a picture, with her round face and bright eyes, a spitting image of the college me.

Compared to her, I wasn't just plain Jane. I was like the walking dead. But what could I do? I was probably on my last leg.

A colleague whispered a warning, "Mr. Patterson adores his wife. Don't stir trouble. Otherwise, you might bite off more than you can chew."

See, everyone thought Clyde was head over heels for me. But no one knew he'd rather see me dead.

Kayla scoffed but quickly plastered on a smile. "Melanie, Mr. Patterson's in the middle of an important video call. No interruptions. If you need anything, I can pass the message to him for you."

She meant she could waltz into Clyde's office anytime, flaunting it in my face. Her smile was pretty if you ignored the scheming in her eyes. And that smile did remind me of a younger me. No wonder Clyde saw her as something special.

Clyde's flings and assistants came and went, but it was more about gauging my reaction. At first, I'd fight back and argue with him. But I realized the more I did, the bolder he got. So, I pretended to see nothing. Even when he'd flaunt his affairs right before me, I could calmly shut the door behind them.

But he never brought Kayla home or let me meet her. Yet, I would hear about their escapades through office gossip like movies, candlelit dinners, and matching outfits. I knew this was different. He was in love, not just playing around. I’d been through it all before in my youth.

I settled myself in a chair, then fixed my gaze on Kayla. "No worries. I'll wait for him here. And could you get me a coffee? Two sugars, cream, thanks."

Kayla didn't expect my composure. Her face twisted in annoyance. "Who do you think you are, asking me to get you coffee?"

"Who are you, exactly?" I looked at her calmly, emotionless.

She was stunned, face turning red. That arrogant attitude was all too familiar. Poor Clyde, finding someone so similar to me.

But someone immediately brought me my coffee, earning a brown-noser sneer from Kayla as the colleague hurried off.

I chuckled lightly. "So, Ms. Osborne, you also know you’re not exactly front-page material?"