When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

I was just about to hit up Jade to get the lowdown on the office drama when Eliana swiped my phone right out of my hand.

"Seriously, do you have any clue how wrecked you are right now?" she snapped.

"Why the heck are you stressing about the office? Let Clyde deal with that mess."

Warren strolled in then, his face a mask of stone, though his eyes flickered with irritation.

"Keen to work? The Grim Reaper's got a spot all lined up for you. Eager for an early promotion?"

"Warren, that's way out of line!" Eliana jumped in, protective as a mother hen, shielding me behind her.

"She's not got long left. Can't you say something nice for once?"

Rubbing my aching forehead, I couldn't help but feel these siblings were here to twist the knife.

"Eliana, cut it out. I've got a couple more years in me."

Both Eliana and Warren turned to me, their faces clouding over.

Warren, casting a glance at my medical reports, said, "Let's get you admitted for a week. We'll talk about discharge once you pass all the tests."

"I haven't lost a patient on my watch yet. Try me," he said, his face unchanging, yet his words carried a chillingly real threat.

Eliana, baring her teeth, added, "You bet. I'll be here every day to make sure."

True to her word, Eliana stuck by me whenever she could.

Jade would drop by now and then, always in a huff.

"Rachel's totally lost it. She thinks she's the queen bee, acting all high and mighty!"

"She's going around calling herself a design prodigy. Like, please, who doesn't know the real deal behind her so-called awards?"

"She and Clyde getting cozy in the break room got leaked in the group chat. And guess what? She fired the person who posted it. Talk about not checking herself."

I had seen that photo, too-the two of them, close together. Rachel, usually so reserved, had a soft smile while Clyde tenderly arranged her hair, both completely lost in each other's eyes. It was getting hard to tell if Clyde saw me in her, or had always seen her in me.

Eliana burst in, eyes wide with shock.

"Guys, I've got a bombshell for you!"

"Did it ever cross your minds, with Rachel applying for student loans and all, how she managed to study abroad?"

"International tuition's no joke, and selling her kidney wouldn't even cover it. Guess who funded her?"

Jade, clearly impatient, slapped her hand, "Cut to the chase!"

"The Pattersons."

I asked, devoid of emotion. "How'd you know? And guess which Patterson we're talking about?"

Eliana and Jade both stared at me in disbelief.

I sighed. "Merritt Patterson?"

Rachel

necklace to Clyde. Even if I

explicitly told her, she she

claimed it was hers.

WY

That necklace was worth a fortune, easily fetching millions at auction.

The Pattersons aren't fools. Merritt, knowing the situation, would

naturally want to avoid any entanglement with someone of her background, making sending her abroad the perfect solution.

Seeing my nonchalant demeanor, the pair were not about to let it slide.

I hadn't planned on spilling the

beans,

S. but

to kee

t now, it seemed pointles

since

it to myself,tent

Clyde was beyond reason,

After I recounted the past events, Jade was speechless.

Eliana slammed her hand on the table.

"This is straight out of a soap opera-stealing someone's life, shameless!"

"No, I'm going to confront Clyde about this right now!"

I quickly grabbed her, "No need. He doesn't remember. Let it be."

Now, Clyde's feelings toward me were nothing but resentment. Even if the truth came out, what then?

He'd only see it as my attempt to sabotage their relationship. Why bother?