Cage
Cage 2

Chapter 2

I looked like something straight out of a horror show then. Three months back, the cancer came knocking again, and I’d withered away to nothing but skin and bones.

Then there was Kayla, pure and pretty as a picture, with her round face and bright eyes, a spitting image of the college me.

Compared to her, I wasn’t just plain Jane. I was like the walking dead. But what could I do? I was probably on my last leg.

A colleague whispered a warning. “Mr. Patterson adores his wife. Don’t stir trouble. Otherwise, you might bite off more than you can chew.”

See, everyone thought Clyde was head over heels for me. But no one knew he’d rather see me dead.

Kayla scoffed but quickly plastered on a smile. “Melanie, Mr. Patterson’s in the middle of an important video call. No interruptions. If you need anything, I can pass the message to him for you.”

She meant she could waltz into Clyde’s office anytime, flaunting it in my face. Her smile was pretty if you ignored the scheming in her eyes. And that smile did remind me of a younger me. No wonder Clyde saw her as something special.

Clyde’s flings and assistants came and went, but it was more about gauging my reaction. At first, I’d fight back and argue with him. But I realized the more I did, the bolder he got. So, I pretended to see nothing. Even when he’d flaunt his affairs right before me, I could calmly shut the door behind them.

But he never brought Kayla home or let me meet her. Yet, I would hear about their escapades through office gossip like movies, candlelit dinners, and matching outfits. I knew this was different. He was in love, not just playing around. I’d been through it all before in my youth.

I settled myself in a chair, then fixed my gaze on Kayla. “No worries. I’ll wait for him here. And could you get me a coffee? Two sugars, cream, thanks.”

Kayla didn’t expect my composure. Her face twisted in annoyance. “Who do you think your are, asking me to get you coffee?”

“Who are you, exactly?” I looked at her calmly, emotionless.

She was stunned, face turning red. That arrogant attitude was all too familiar. Poor Clyde, replaceing someone so similar to me.

But someone immediately brought me my coffee, earning a brown–noser sneer from Kayla as the colleague hurried off.

chuckled lightly. “So, Ms. Osborne, you also know you’re not exactly front–page.

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Chapter 2

material?”

Something in my words struck a nerve, and Kayla exploded in tears. “Who are you calling that? The real homewrecker is someone who doesn’t get any love! Mr. Patterson hasn’t loved you for ages. Clinging to him is your fault! Look at you. Who could love that?”

She stormed over, intending to drag me up.

I shook my head, pitying her youthful arrogance. I wasn’t there to quarrel.

My heart was dead when Clyde brought home two blondes the day after our first anniversary. Getting worked up for him was a waste of my dwindling life.

Colleagues intervened as Kayla grabbed my coffee cup, which crashed to the floor, shattering. Kayla cut her hand, tears immediately flowing.

I glanced down at the coffee stain on my black outfit, grateful it wasn’t too noticeable. “Melanie, I didn’t think you’d be this cruel! Why resort to violence?” Clyde’s voice rose, and there he was, cradling Kayla close.

Her wound was superficial, barely bleeding, but Clyde was beside himself with worry. “Are you all heartless? Get the first aid kit now! Call my doctor, get him here ASAP!”

I watched the drama unfold, and Kayla was smirking victoriously. What was she so proud- of? Was she proud of being loved by a man like that?

Perhaps my indifferent stare pricked at her, for her tears flowed anew, her voice quivering. “Mr. Patterson, I’m sorry. It’s my fault for upsetting Melanie. But how can I control my heart? Is it wrong to fall in love?”

Her tears were beautiful, each one shining with sorrow.

Clyde wiped Kayla’s tears away and then glared at me. “What are you even doing here? You stopped coming to the office, didn’t you?”

I chuckled, surprised he noticed. Standing up, I looked down at the pitiful pair. “Clyde, I want a hundred thousand dollars in my account by today. Or else…”

“Or else what?” He glared as if I were his worst enemy.

I smiled, pointing at the diamond necklace around Kayla’s neck. “That should count as marital property. Legally, I’m entitled to a share. You have half an hour. If the money’s not in my account, I’m calling the police. Your move.”