When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

Finally making it to a villager's place after a rough journey, I was greeted with warmth. Their cozy two-story home was inviting, but my body betrayed me, falling ill.

Already frail, the travel had worn me down, and a fever had taken hold, leaving me delirious.

When Clyde called, it was Lina who answered. I didn't catch their exchange, but his urgency was palpable.

Two days later, as the rain ceased, my fever persisted. Vinson, taking no chances, hoisted me onto a tractor.

"We've got to get you to the hospital for a shot, or you'll be out of your mind with fever."

He borrowed a military coat from our host, wrapping me in it before pulling me close to his chest.

Looking up at his profile, I was suddenly reminded of Clyde.

During our junior year, after three nights without sleep, I'd collapsed from exhaustion. It was Clyde who'd rushed me to the infirmary, concern etched on his face.

And now, in this moment, I saw that same concern on Vinson's face.

I reached out, touching his chin, whispering, "Clyde, you need a shave... you look... scruffy."

Vinson paused, then tightened his hold on me.

Awakening to a patchy wall, it took a moment to place myself.

Only when I saw Vinson, stubble and dark circles under his eyes, did I remember where I was.

"Vinson, what happened to me?"

"Just a fever brought on by exhaustion. Keep pushing yourself like this, and you'll make it a hat trick."

He gruffly tucked me back into bed, making sure I was covered.

A somewhat balding doctor entered, giving me a once-over before fixing Vinson with a stern look.

"Your wife's been through two surgeries already. Can't you let her rest? You look well-off enough; she shouldn't have to work."

Before I could interject, Vinson bowed slightly in apology.

"Sorry, my fault. I shouldn't have let her overdo it."

The doctor's stern face softened. "A second recurrence isn't trivial. We can only do so much here; for a thorough check, you'll need a big-city hospital."

Turning to me, he added, "You seem like a hard worker. But what's more important, work or health? Take a break from work starting today."

The small-town doctor had a way of being stern yet caring, ending his visit by sharing some homemade pork trotters, claiming they were good for protein.

I stared at the trotter, unsure, while Vinson chuckled beside me.

"Not feeling it?"

"It's all yours."

He didn't mind, peeling off the fat and offering me the lean parts.

I took them, a bit embarrassed but grateful.

Vinson, undeterred, enjoyed his share.

But when the topic of transporting materials came up, I hesitated.

"I'll help you get it back. Just have Clyde cover the costs."

"Should we tell him about your condition?"

Vinson, done with his meal, started cleaning up.

I shook my head. "Vinson, let's not. Just say I'm still supervising on-site."

He didn't argue, promising to handle the transport once he was sure I was okay.NôvelDrama.Org (C) content.

I managed to send Clyde a video, downplaying my condition, leading to an immediate wave of concern from him.

"Should I fly over? I'm really worried about you."

"No need, I'll be back soon after supervising. Don't worry."

It seemed our relationship had found a semblance of the early days of our marriage; not perfect, but peaceful.

That peace shattered when Kayla

appeared on camera, back in

home, prompting me to cutthet

call

coldly, ignoring Clyde's attempts at explaining.

Feeling trapped and frustrated, I knew Kayla's presence meant my marriage was on borrowed time.

I gently closed my eyes, took a few deep breaths, and then I felt better.

Kayla may not leave after giving birth, which is when I would divorce.

I'd thought my worries in Eclipse City

were

suspin work-related until a

Su nurse began lurking

el.ne

around my hospital room.

Initially dismissing her, her repeated and shaky demeanor when

she

to administer my showen

raised my alarms.

"Nannie not around today?"

Her nervous glance behind her glasses didn't go unnoticed.

"Nannie had to... I'm covering."

As she fumbled with the syringe, Vinson intervened, seizing her hand.

"Stop! Who are you?" His glare was fierce, protective.