When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie) novel Chapter 25

"Melanie, when did you become so unreasonable? You think threatening divorce will make up for the losses from you abandoning your post?” Clyde shouted, “If it's money you want, work for it. Don't act as if you own the Patterson Group."

Clyde's grip loosened. His frown remained persistent, looking like I was making a fuss over nothing. His words baffled me, seemingly forgetting I was his wife, and naturally, I had a stake in the company. But I didn't want to argue.

I shrugged. "When did I become so indispensable? How did the Patterson Group manage without me?"

"If I'm that crucial, my salary is a joke. Too low." I pushed him aside, tossing my bag onto the couch.

He disliked my attitude, gripping my wrist again, then paused. "You've lost weight again? Haven't you been eating?"

Surprised he noticed, I scoffed, unwilling to respond. I lost my appetite, and the doctor said chemotherapy might worsen it, but I had to eat, or I'd collapse. Looking at my reddened wrist, I sighed softly. I was indeed too thin. I might have a fracture next time.

"Melanie, can't you stop this? You're the head of the Design Department. There's so much waiting for your approval. You can't just leave work like this."

Clyde's annoying tone forced a retort from me. "So? Why didn't you pick up Jake's calls? Right, you didn't take mine, either. Kayla said you were busy."

I faced him with no expression, seeing surprise and a hint of panic in his eyes, which quickly turned to anger. "Melanie, I had an important meeting this afternoon. Stop making a scene."

"Why is it always someone else's fault with you? Can't you ever reflect on yourself? You were never like this in college. Why push everything onto the innocent now?"

I watched him rage, feeling utterly calm. I seemed to have forgotten my college days. Did he even remember? Was I, then, not innocent? Did I deserve all this?

Closing my eyes, I felt tears well up. College was different because Clyde believed in me unconditionally back then. When my thesis got falsely accused of plagiarism, it could've been the best, yet I was under investigation.

Everyone thought I, the rich girl, bought someone else's work, especially since my accuser was a hardworking student from a poor background, making her words seem more credible.