When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie) novel Chapter 30

"What's gotten into you now?" Clyde didn’t even turn around, clearly not keen on diving into that conversation.

I repeated myself, “Let’s get a divorce.”

He didn’t love me anymore. It seemed he had found his true love, and I couldn’t fathom why he was still clinging to me. Was it to get back at me for leaving him years ago? Weren’t three years of this charade enough?

I had left for two years, and he had been parading his affair for three, making us even in my book. Leaving at the moment would be dignified for both of us, squaring all accounts.

He finally turned with a harsh glint in his eyes. “Melanie, what game are you playing now? Divorce? I bet you’re just trying to get my attention. Haven’t I done enough?”

I couldn’t grasp what he meant. What had he done? So, does bringing his mistress into our house and expecting me to join family dinners count or what? Sure, that was quite the honor, indeed.

But before I could retort, nausea overcame me. I rushed to the bathroom, throwing up until I was dizzy. I hadn’t eaten anything beforehand, and soon, I was retching, feeling slightly better after getting it all out.

Clyde was there, patting my back and handing me water. I could sense his anxiety, but I was too miserable to make out his words.

Suddenly, he lifted me despite my struggles. “Stop moving. I’m taking you to the hospital. You can’t go on like this.”

“No, don’t!” I pushed against him, not wanting any part of a hospital visit.

What was there to see? It was just the side effects of chemotherapy. It would get worse.

But he seemed impatient, holding me even tighter. At the door, his phone rang with Kayla’s ringtone. He hesitated before setting me down to answer it.

“Clyde, are you done with me? You don’t love me anymore? But I still love you! So, you’re leaving me for Melanie and going to see your family with her, right? Clyde, I’m at a bar, and this guy is staring at me. I’m so scared.” Kayla’s plaintive voice came through, and Clyde froze.

He looked at me, all torn up, but then he steeled himself and said into the phone, “Send me the address. I’ll be right there.”

I sat on the sofa, covering my forehead with my hand. I didn’t want to see Clyde or watch him rush to another woman’s aid.

Clyde put on his jacket, his voice trembling, “Melanie, wait for me to come home. I’ll drop Kayla off and take you to the hospital.”

I scoffed, not responding. I knew Clyde wouldn’t return. Dizziness washed over me, and my head felt heavy. I remembered the doctor mentioning the possibility of fainting if the side effects worsened. The headache intensified, my vision blurring as I saw Clyde heading out.

“Clyde,” I called out softly. He paused, then left.

I chuckled at myself bitterly. Why would Clyde stay for me? In my last moments of clarity, I called Jade. Hoping for that telepathic connection between best friends, I feared I might not wake up again.