When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

Rachel's first day was something straight out of a Hollywood movie, with Clyde, the company's golden boy, personally escorting her to HR, bypassing the usual intern phase and landing her a permanent position on the spot.

This was an unheard-of move at Patterson Enterprises, but Clyde's word was law, and no one dared question it.

Then, as if that wasn't enough, Clyde took Rachel under his wing and introduced her around the Design Department like she was the next big thing. The looks I was getting from the rest of the staff told me all I needed to know about the rumors already flying.

By lunchtime, the office chat was buzzing with gossip.

"Didn't Mr. Patterson just rescue Ms. Crawford from that car wreck? I thought they were an item."

"Guess the boss has a thing for the new girl. New face, new interest."

"Didn't they go to college together? Bet they've been an item since then."

"Is this some kind of soap opera? Both in design, and now he's got eyes for the new hire?"

I tried to ignore the chatter. After all, Clyde's romantic escapades were legendary around here; one more rumor wouldn't make a difference to me. The real trouble would start if word got back to the Patterson family.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

And sure enough, Merritt Patterson sent a car for Clyde and me to come to the Patterson Mansion. As we got in, Clyde made a point of shifting away from me, as if my mere presence was offensive. I scooted away too, keeping my distance.

He let out a snort of disdain, and I had to roll my eyes. We were acting like kids back in elementary school, not adults who had supposedly committed to spending our lives together.

Arriving at the mansion, Merritt grilled Clyde about work, which he handled fine, but he got all twisted up when it came to me, dumping everything on Rachel's shoulders.

Merritt, looking exasperated, turned to me and said, "Don't you remember? This is the woman you fought tooth and nail to marry."

"That's impossible. I don't even like

her,"

head with such conviction, I

3% shot back, shaking his et

e my eyes to avoid road to

them.

"You don't like her? But you were the one begging me to accept her. You even risked your life to save her, and now, after all these years..." Merritt's voice faded out, too annoyed to go on

Clyde looked at me suspiciously. "You didn't put this idea in my grandfather's head, did you?"

I stepped away, disgusted at the thought of further engaging with him.

Just talking to him made my head hurt.

Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, Clyde clutched his head in pain. I rushed to find him painkillers, but he slapped them out of my hand.

"I won't take them! You're just trying to make me forget Melanie! She's the only one I've ever loved. Give it up, Rachel."

His words stung, but they also ignited a fire in me. After everything he'd put me through, his accusations were the last straw.

"Clyde, you're delusional," I said, my

voice icy. You chased me for

months, used my mother's illness

against me to force me into

marrying you. And now you're

playing the victim?"

to

Looking back at how relentlessly he chased me, calling it 'love' with his twisted actions, I was boiling with anger.

Clyde's eyes flickered with something like recognition, but then he crumpled, clutching his head in agony.

I stood there, torn between helping him and walking away from the mess he'd made of both our lives.