When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

After college, I left my penniless boyfriend, chasing dreams and dollars with a wealthy heir abroad.

Two years later, I was sent packing back home, only to find my ex had made it big. He went to great lengths to marry me.

Everyone said he was head over heels, ready to let bygones be bygones.

Little did they know that he turned the table on me, changing lovers like shirts in a twisted revenge. He'd confront me, demanding why I wasn't jealous, why I didn't care.

I'd only smile back. "Why should I care when I'm gonna die anyway?"

On our third anniversary, Clyde Patterson set off fireworks by the beach with Kayla Osborne while I curled up on the couch, endlessly dialing his number.

"Sorry, the number you are calling is not available..." The robotic voice echoed again, and I passed out.

When I awoke, I was in a hospital bed, the doctor hesitating before me.

"How long do I have?" I asked calmly.

He gave a bureaucratic sigh. "With surgery now and regular chemotherapy, there's still hope."

I stared blankly at the ceiling, replying, "This is my second relapse."

Pain pierced through me, sweat beading on my forehead.

"Ms. Crawford, a new drug could inhibit the cancer cells. Each dose is $50,000."

"If you could keep up with the medication for six months after the surgery..." He stopped, knowing I couldn't afford it.

I was Mrs. Patterson, the CEO's wife, but I was penniless, delaying my treatment further.

Pulling myself up, I dressed. "Let's schedule the surgery first."

The surgery was a few thousand dollars. Maybe I could manage that.

Clutching the pendant around my neck, I felt an indescribable bitterness.

Back home, I first thanked my neighbor, Brenda.

She looked at me sympathetically. "Don't mention it. It's Rocky you should thank. I wouldn't have known you had fainted if it wasn't for his barking. Good thing the ambulance came in time. You young folks need to look after yourselves."

Rocky, my adopted Labrador, was my savior.

One month after Clyde and I married, he brought another woman home. Their unabashed actions, loud as if to ensure I heard, were a slap in my face.

He later justified it. "You reap what you sow."

After a huge fight, I left home distraught, finding Rocky abandoned with distemper outside a vet clinic.

Our eyes met in shared despair. Both of us got thrown away, clinging to life reluctantly.

I traded my gold necklace to save Rocky. Then, he saved me.

Choking up, I couldn't bring myself t him. "Brenda, I might need to pitalized for a while. Could

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you please look after Rocky for me?"

Knowing Brenda's pet dog passed last year, I was sure she'd help. Sure enough, she agreed, urging me to take care of myself.

Watching them leave, at least I knew Rocky would be cared for after I was gone.

But returning home, I realized I had overestimated my resources. The surgery's cost was beyond my reach.

Clyde was generous with expensive

clothes, bags, and jewelry, but

behind closed doors, every dress jewelry for events required his approval. He claimed I never

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contributed to our home and didn't deserve unrestricted access to its luxuries.

When glancing at my phone, the company gossip chat was abuzz with Clyde and Kayla's spectacle.

[Is Mr. Patterson serious this time? Doesn't he change lovers monthly?]

[Definitely. Kayla's been with him for nearly three months, right?]

[They celebrated Valentine's Day by the beach with fireworks. It was so romantic. Did you see Kayla's diamond necklace? Blinded by its sparkle!]

[Wasn't Valentine's Day also when Mr. Patterson got married? Weren't we all there?]

I laughed at the irony. My colleague

remembered our anniversary, yet Clyde did not. I had hoped to settle things amicably, to part on good terms Facing the cold dinner on the table, I stepped out, realizing didn't need him, just the money.

When I arrived at the Patterson Group, Kayla was basking in attention, flaunting the necklace Clyde had given her.

"Kayla, Mr. Patterson spoils you. That must've cost tens of thousands!"

"You kidding? That's from M's new collection, easily over a hundred thousand."

Kayla adjusted her hair smugly. "Well, he insisted, saying nothing's too expensive for me."

I watched from the office doorway, the irony biting. I was dying and without a penny for my surgery while Clyde easily splurged on his mistress.

Kayla's eyes met mine with disdain. "Which department are you from? Don't know the company rules, huh?"

Her companions nudged her, whispering. "Kayla, that's the boss's wife, Melanie Crawford."

Her arrogance faltered, then flared again, "This is the famous campus belle, Melanie? What a joke."