When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)



I really didn't want to be admitted to the hospital, but at the same time, I was desperate to try the medication. In the end, Warren, looking as defeated as a coach after a tough loss, agreed to let me stay in the hospital for three days to monitor my reaction.

He mentioned the side effects weren't severe, probably minor for someone who had undergone surgery before.

However, by the second day of medication, I was caught in an endless cycle of vomiting.

Even though I hadn't eaten much, I couldn't stop throwing up bile.

"Maybe you should stop taking the medication for now."

Warren, reviewing my condition with a furrowed brow, seemed hesitant.

"Your condition is really poor, you barely look like you're holding up."

"But if I get better, there's a chance of relapse, maybe for the third time. I should stick with it."

He had warned me before about the possibility of relapse after radiation treatment, and I was determined to continue with the medication.

Given that this medication was still in clinical trials, side effects seemed like a normal expectation to me.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Surviving was my top priority, especially with Clyde in his current state.

However, taking a three-day leave from work led to issues back at the office.

The overpass project was facing one problem after another, and my absence seemed to have delayed many design solutions.

When Jade Scott called me, she was livid.

"It's your design, and Rachel is trying to take over, despite not having the qualifications. Has she lost her mind? Doesn't she realize how risky it is to change personnel like this at the last minute?"

That's when I found out that despite Rachel's education abroad, her qualifications weren't universally recognized. Her trip abroad now seemed questionable.

But dwelling on this wasn't the priority. The project was time-sensitive.

Barely holding myself together, I made it to the office, only to find Rachel arguing with Lina in the Design Department.

"Rachel, you're from the Administrative Department. What gives you the right to oversee our work? And your changes to the design could halt the project. Are you aware of that?"

Lina was red with anger, but Rachel remained calm, her arrogance palpable.

"I'm aware, but Melanie's design has flaws I couldn't overlook."

"Really? A design that passed departmental review has issues only you could spot? Quite the returnee."

I leaned against the doorway, watching her with a sarcastic amusement.

Rachel was taken aback upon seeing me, but quickly resumed her smug demeanor.

"The review department just skims

through; of course, I had to make modifications for the detailed.

issues. Your leave has disrupted the company's schedule, and you should take responsibility for that.

Before I could retort, Clyde, ever the gallant knight for Rachel, stormed over.

"Melanie, are you picking on Rachel again?"

Looking at his foolish expression, I lost any desire to engage.

Jade stepped in front of me, "Are you blind or deaf? If you can't speak sense, then shut it!"

She used to be somewhat intimidated by Clyde, given his position as the boss.

But now that Clyde had changed, Jade couldn't care less.

And there I stood, looking coldly at Clyde. "So, you let Rachel replace me?"

I knew Clyde wasn't that foolish; his memory was jumbled, not insane.

Sure enough, he paused, glancing at a seemingly aggrieved Rachel before turning back to me with what he thought was a righteous gaze "Exactly! Your sick leave is holding back the company. If Rachel is more capable, she should indeed take over!"

His words left everyone in disbelief.

Only Rachel, smugly, walked over and clung to his arm.

"Melanie, I'm just thinking of what's best for the company. If you can't fulfill your role, maybe it's time you stepped aside, and let's not make this any uglier than it needs to be."