When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie) novel Chapter 51

Clyde’s grip tightened around the engagement ring, and his eyes reddened with emotion. “Where’s your wedding ring? Why aren’t you wearing it? Melanie, what’s this about?”

I shrugged, at a loss for words. Should I tell Clyde about the days when I was so broke that I couldn’t even afford to see a doctor?

I knew Clyde would soften, but I didn’t want his pity. Our marriage had hit rock bottom. Now that I had some money, I just wanted a shred of dignity.

“Melanie, do you have any idea? I made that ring with my hands. I picked the diamond from many others and crafted it myself! I always thought I’d propose once I got a job and saved some money. Melanie!” His voice roared, tinged with a hint of choking emotion.

I stared at him, overwhelmed with sadness.

He appeared so wronged by my doings, but wasn’t I? I had wondered why the wedding ring looked so cheap. Did leaving him mean I didn’t deserve a beautiful diamond ring? But he never told me he made the ring himself.

I touched my bare ring finger, bowing my head. Perhaps it was all these misunderstandings that had brought us to this point.

I remained silent, and Clyde grew angrier.

He gave me a tight hug, his eyes turning red. “Melanie, don’t I mean anything to you anymore? You won’t even wear our wedding ring. All you care about is money. Doesn’t love mean anything to you? You weren't like this before. No!”

I closed my eyes, finding his words absurd. Was love about bringing other women home and humiliating me? If his love was so valuable, was mine so cheap that he could trample on?

When I opened my eyes, I was devoid of emotion. “Clyde, we've been out of love for ages. Why bring this up now? We had something real once, but it's over. Let's split on good terms. I'll email you the divorce papers. Think it over and then get back to me.”

The Patterson Group’s anniversary was over, and a quiet divorce seemed most fitting.

He still clung to me. His gaze grew fierce as if he could devour me.

I pushed him away, but he stubbornly slipped the ring onto my finger. “You can’t just think about divorce! Let’s start over and work on our relationship! If you don’t like that one, wear this one. It’s a solitaire, expensive enough for you?”

I looked down at the ring and laughed. “Clyde, why are you being so ridiculous? Why insist I have it if it wasn’t for me?”

He gripped my hand tightly, refusing to let me remove the ring. His gaze was stubborn, just like him. “I told you, all those jewels were for you. It was Kayla... anyway, I’ll make it up to you. I can buy you another one. They were all for you. You know everything. Why pretend?”