When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

I managed to extricate myself from Vinson's embrace just in time to see Clyde standing at the door, with Rachel shadowing him as usual. Wherever Clyde went, Rachel was sure to follow, clinging to him like a shadow to its owner.

Vinson pulled out a tissue to wipe my tears away before positioning himself protectively in front of me.

"What's the murderer doing here?" he asked, his voice cold.

Clyde seemed taken aback for a moment but quickly recovered with a laugh. "Who have I killed? Don't throw around accusations."

Rachel, with her pale face and dark eyes fixed on me, spoke up with a dismissive tone, "Melanie, honey, that baby was never meant to be."All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

I stared back at her, then turned my gaze to Clyde. "Get out," I said firmly.

Whether his memory was playing tricks on him or not, I didn't want him anywhere near me. Vinson was right; Clyde was a murderer, having played a part in the loss of our child. Even if the child was never meant to come into this world, Clyde was the final executioner.

Clyde wrapped his arm around Rachel and said, "Do you think I would've come if Rachel hadn't told me about your miscarriage and asked me to check on you?"

"Rachel's sick herself, yet she insisted on visiting you. Is that the thanks she gets?"

"Well, then, please, by all means, take your mistress and leave," I retorted.

Vinson didn't hesitate to push them towards the door, adding, "Careful now, or your little secret might just get out when the reporters show up."

As Rachel was pushed out, her eyes remained fixed on me, but then she suddenly laughed, "Vinson, you really do care for her, don't you? You've been after her since college, never dated anyone else. Were you waiting for her all this time?"

She tilted her head, raising her voice, "So, is the child yours? That would explain your haste."

"Clyde's the real victim here, wearing the cuckold's horns, all while bearing the brunt for the sake of the company!"

Curious onlookers and possibly reporters with their phones out were peeking in from outside.

"Vinson, don't waste your breath on her. There are reporters," I warned, trying to keep my voice under control despite my boiling anger. Had Rachel finally dropped her act, intending to drag us all down to destroy me completely? Clyde stared at me for a long moment before muttering under his breath, "A miscarriage?" As Vinson moved to push him away, Clyde suddenly shouted, "The child wasn't mine!"

"I knew it! I had a DNA test; that child wasn't mine!"

"Melanie, you deceitful woman, to think you'd cheat on me! I want a divorce!"

"And don't expect a dime from me in the settlement!"

With a loud bang, Vinson slammed the door shut and turned to me, exasperated, "He's lost his mind right? Tell me he's crazy, or I swear I'll se it."

I looked at him helplessly, realizing in that moment that Clyde had confused the DNA test he had done for Kayla Osborne's child with ours.

Vinson gave me a few comforting words and assured me not to worry about the company before he had to go.

When Eliana returned, her face was etched with concern. "Where's Jade? Wasn't she with you? The Patterson Group's in trouble again. She asked me to take care of you. You should eat something. My cousin will be here soon to check on you.

Hearing the company's name, I immediately grabbed my phone.

The message count in the work chat was overwhelming.

Opening the most recent message, I realized the situation was dire.

The news of Clyde causing my miscarriage had broken out.

In just a few hours, the story had

spread from the supposed presset

conference Clyde and I had faked, to the actual push that led to my

hours-long surgery in the hospital.

Complete with pictures, including ones of Eliana and Jade waiting outside the operation room.

Clyde's reputation as a scoundrel was now cemented.