When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie) novel Chapter 4

Clyde hadn't returned home the previous night, choosing to stay with Kayla.

The office grapevine was buzzing with gossip about the two of them.-

[Mr. Patterson is over the top, isn’t he? Making a big deal over a tiny wound and rushing Kayla to the hospital.]

[Have you ever heard of a man's sweetheart? Mr. Patterson was beside himself with worry.]

[Did Melanie storm into the office today to catch a homewrecker red-handed?]

[The boss’s wife is apparently after money but just asked for $100,000. How pathetic. Kayla’s necklace, I looked it up, worth $190,000.]

I closed WhatsApp with a sneer playing at the corner of my mouth. The idea of the boss's wife getting pitied was indeed a joke.

Woken up by the noise, I couldn’t fall back asleep and decided to start packing my things.

It wasn’t my first rodeo with surgery. I packed my personal belongings with practiced ease.

Everything in our home was top-notch. Clyde had an eye for quality. Even the bed linens and tissues were the most expensive. I unapologetically crammed them into my luggage. Hospital charges were high, and I wasn’t about to waste a dime.

Even though I now had $100,000, what if something happened during surgery?

Hospital bills could skyrocket, and it was better to be safe than sorry.

My jewelry collection, which I could wear at any time, was pathetically small. Standing before the jewelry cabinet, I decided against smashing it open. Breaking it would likely mean losing my chance at surgery altogether.

At last, I picked out a pair of gold studs and a small, pitiful diamond ring. Clyde had said it was the engagement ring he planned to use to propose when he was broke. Buying such a ring must have taken him ages to save for.

I carefully slipped the ring on, feeling a mix of emotions. The ring would depreciate when sold, and selling it wouldn’t fetch much, especially with its crude craftsmanship. But having something was better than nothing. Who knows, it might save my life in a crunch.

With everything prepared, I pondered where to find an affordable yet reliable caregiver when daylight broke.

The doctor called me, sounding excited, “I’ve spoken with the admissions department. Just come over to complete the formalities.”

“You can start by paying a $30,000 deposit. We’ve reserved a double room for you, and you can share a caregiver with the other patient.”

Aware of my financial constraints, the doctor had thought of every possible way to save me money. I thanked him as I dragged my suitcase out the door.

Feeling my departure, I heard Rocky whimpering from my neighbor’s home. Brenda opened the door, and Rocky dashed toward me, whining around me.

I crouched down, holding back tears, and hugged its big head. “Be good. I’ll be back soon, and you need to stay strong.”

Rocky had to stay strong even if I couldn’t make it home.