When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

After discussing the divorce details with my lawyer, I didn't head back to the office. Instead, I went to the small apartment my mom used to live in. Jade had cleaned it, and everything inside looked just the way Mom left it, simple and unassuming, except for the nail scratches on the headboard, reminding the agony Mom went through. Thinking I might end up in similar pain, I found it hard to breathe and left the apartment.

Jade worked late, so I made myself pasta and hit the sack early.

But as I drifted off, Clyde called. I quickly hung up, but he followed up with a message on Messenger.

It was just a drunk photo of Clyde, but Dailey was speaking in the background.

"Hey Melanie, come to pick Clyde up. He's losing it."

Then I saw Clyde grabbing the phone and hugging Dailey. Clyde was never much of a drinker in college. I thought it was because he was frugal, but it turned out he turned into a lunatic when drunk.

Dailey sent me the address, which I forwarded to Kayla. Clyde didn't want to see me anyway. He was only interested in his mistress.

I went back to sleep, but an hour later, Dailey was frantically calling.

At last, he messaged me. [Melanie, you've got to come. Clyde's in a fight, and we're all down at the police station.]

Suddenly, I was wide awake. Clyde was in a fight, heh? At the police station?

I quickly got dressed when I called Dailey back.

Dailey picked up immediately, shouting, "Sir, his wife's on her way. She'll be here any minute now! Melanie, please hurry. Clyde's, um, please hurry!" I could hear the chaos at the police station through the phone, Clyde's voice, Kayla's, and another familiar one, but I couldn't place it.

Arriving at the station, I was stunned. Clyde was a mess with bruises on his face, scrapes on his arm, hair all over the place, and his clothes stained. He didn't seem to notice me, with his head hung low. Kayla was beside him, crying and trying to comfort him, but he sat silent.

Across from him sat Vinson Russell, my college senior.

I hadn't seen him since I moved abroad, and there he was, the one Clyde had brawled with.

"Vinson?" I shifted to get a better look at him.

Vinson smiled gently. "Long time no see, Melanie."

His shirt was torn, although he seemed unharmed except for a swollen hand.

Hearing my voice, Clyde finally looked up, slurring, "You see him but not me? Look at what your beloved senior did to me! I'll sue him!"

Clyde tried to stand, but Kayla quickly pulled him down.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

The officer glanced at him, and his

tone was sharp. "You started it, and... Now that the family is here, sortit out. Here's the police station. I don't care who you are, behave!"

The officer's meaningful glance shifted between me and Kayla.

I sighed, realizing Clyde's antics were well known.

Something in his words triggered Clyde, who surged up. "That's between us. You've no right to meddle!"

As Clyde lunged forward, Dailey and I pushed him back, with Kayla wrapping her arms around him.

I turned to Vinson, eager to change the subject. "Vinson, you're not hurt, are you? Should we go to the hospital? Could there be internal injuries?"

I knew Clyde could throw a punch, but Vinson was always quiet, never seen angry, let alone in a fight.

Vinson shook his head, then snorted, "A cheater's got no strength. Who'd lose to him?"

His blunt words made me blush.

Kayla tried to stand, but I pulled her back. "And who do you think you are? Keep quiet."

Kayla glared at me, but I ignored her, focusing on Clyde. "What's it going to be? Detention or compensation?"

Clyde looked at me incredulously, "Compensation?"

I nodded sternly, then pointed at Vinson's swollen hand. "Vinson hit you, and now his hand's swollen."

"Melanie, you're my wife! And you're siding with him?" Clyde's disbelief was palpable as he roared. His face twisted in anger.

I sighed softly, "Not for much

longer." I took the divorce papers out

of my bag." See if you want

change anything in the gen

e

agreement. Send it to my lawyer."