When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie) novel Chapter 76

When I got home, Clyde made a beeline for the guest room, not even giving me a chance to speak.

It was his way of shutting down the conversation, a tactic he often resorted to since our school days. Whenever he encountered a topic he didn't want to discuss, he'd retreat to process it alone before coming up with a solution.

I wasn’t a fan of his silent treatment, but at most, it only ever lasted a night.

Ignoring his mood, I decided to pack some clothes and stay at a hotel for a few days, at least until I could wrap up the Aspire World project.

What I hadn't anticipated was the police showing up at our office the very next day, right after Clyde dropped me off.

"Melanie, good morning. We need you to come with us for an investigation into a missing person related to Isla," one officer said, his tone emotionless.

“Isla’s missing?” I was stunned. I had just seen her account spewing slander about me online yesterday.

The officer nodded. “She’s been missing for 48 hours and is completely unreachable.”

“What does that have to do with my wife? She has an alibi for those 48 hours.”

Clyde stepped in front of me, putting himself between me and the officers.

“Mr. Patterson, your wife is a person of interest in this case. We need your cooperation,” the officer insisted.

Before Clyde could retort, our colleagues began to gather around, sensing the drama. I quickly touched his arm to calm him down.

“They’re just asking for cooperation. I’ll go with them.”

“Tell everyone to get back to work. It’s nothing.”

Reluctantly, Clyde released me, his protective stance softening only after Gemma rushed over, looking panicked.

“Mr. Patterson, there’s an urgent situation that needs your attention,” she said, her eyes darting nervously to the officers and back to us.

I nudged Clyde. “Business first.”

“I’ll be right behind you once I’m done, don’t worry.”

With that, Clyde hurried off with Gemma, and I followed the officers to the station where I provided my alibi for the time of Isla’s disappearance.

“Officer, I’ve been swamped with work recently. And frankly, Isla doesn’t have anything I’d want to blackmail her for,” I explained.

She still needs Kayla to give her money, so she definitely wouldn't have enough money to be kidnapped.