When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

Chapter 145



Lying in the hospital bed with nothing but time, I often found myself flipping through my mom's old journal.

She had her fair share of suspicions. Like why did Galen Brown betray us? Why, after I left, did Galen's wife and daughter vanish too?

I left because of my illness, but what about them?

Given the close bond between our families, it would have made sense to leave together. Yet, Galen never even hinted at it, which was outright suspicious.

And there was the mysterious call Galen made to my dad before disappearing. No one knows what was discussed.

The driver involved in the accident that killed my dad was another puzzle. His family suddenly came into a large sum of money.

My mom tried to dig into it, finding out it was a donation from a charity. Nothing seemed off on the surface, but why specifically to his family among so many others in need?

All these mysteries, and my mom couldn't pursue them any further when she fell ill.

The photos stuck in her journal showed happier times - our family and the Browns, all smiles. I remember Galen's daughter, Geneva, who'd be in high school by now. Where could they be?

I wondered if Galen had fled the country, perhaps starting anew with his daughter. It felt right to dig deeper.

Stuck in the hospital in Aurorea, my connections were limited, unlike Vinson.

When I messaged him, he didn't ask questions; he just started looking into it.

After three days of injections, my fever finally subsided.

The doctor emphasized the importance of rest, and I agreed, though I knew resting wasn't going to fix everything.

Jade called just as I was planning my discharge.

"Melanie, when are you coming back? Your cousin's practically moved into your husband's office."

"People at work think she's taking over your role. Don't you care?"

"Why don't I go on your business trips so you can keep an eye on your husband?"

I kept up with the office gossip daily.

Lisa wasn't exactly likable, or

It was just the persona shaybe

that

adopted.

She never bothered to please anyone she deemed irrelevant, focusing all her efforts on Clyde.

Everyone labeled her as the homewrecker, but without Clyde's intervention, there wasn't much else to be said.

Especially given Clyde's history of fleeting relationships.

Kayla's situation had left everyone wary, unsure if Ms. Crawford would be the next Kayla.

"You're not talking! Didn't you and Clyde make up? Why the sudden lack of interest?"

"You're not thinking of divorce, are you?"

Jade's mention of divorce left me speechless.

I had considered it, not wanting to drag Clyde down.

But leaving him would mean losing my connection

chance of uncovering

the truth about my parents

family and any chance of

"Let's not talk about divorce now. I've got to go."

Eager to avoid further discussion on the matter, I hung up.

Turning around, I noticed Vinson silently standing at the door, unsure how long he'd been there.

"You guys made up?"

His tone had a hint of disappointment, but I quickly changed the subject.

"Vinson, did you find out anything about the person I asked you to look into?"

Seeing my reluctance to discuss my personal life, he didn't press further on the matter.