Cage

Chapter 116

I closed my eyes, refusing to see Kayla’s contemptuous smile. I knew she had figured everything out.

Folks like Eliana could easily guess my plight. The not–so–normal ones, like Kayla, could see it, too, as long as they weren’t completely clueless.

“No wonder you wear a wig. No wonder you’ve started chemotherapy, right? I guess you’re not far from kicking the bucket, huh? No wonder you’ve been missing work and asking for so much money. I know cancer treatment costs a fortune, tsk…”

She caressed the scar on my chest, and I dared not move an inch. “Oh, you’ve had surgery twice, a recurrence? How are you still alive? No, you can’t die until I get to leave the country, Melanie. You truly are my good dear Melanie.”

She fastened the buttons on my shirt, her eyes gleaming with madness. “Melanie, I’m not just after money now. I want Clyde to live with guilt for a lifetime. When your cancer came back, Clyde was all over me. When you were in surgery, he was by my side. And during your chemo, he was planning to put down your dog for me. Hilarious!”

I closed my eyes, refusing to look at Kayla, who had lost it.

But her words were all true, painfully true. If Clyde found it out, I had no idea how he’d react, but guilt would surely consume him. I had kept the truth from him to spare him that guilt. Knowing I was on borrowed time, Kayla’s treatment of me had softened somewhat.

When the delivery guy brought food, she even fed me chicken noodle soup. “Eat up and call Clyde. Tell him I want fifty million, or you’re dead.”

“No, tell him, if he doesn’t pay up, I’ll start cutting off your fingers, toes, ears, and every part of you. That way, you’ll live a bit longer, right?”

I ate the food emotionlessly because I needed the energy. Even if I were planning to escape, I’d need the strength.

The delivery guy had placed some rocks in front of the door. “Kayla, what’s with the roeks?” Kayla stepped back with a look of disdain and popped a couple of pills into her mouth. “To block the door. Keep others from coming in. Make her block the door, too.”

She swallowed the pills, standing at the farthest end of the room.

Once the delivery guy had finished, she kicked the phone over to me. “Call Clyde. Tell him I want fifty million straight to my offshore account. He knows the account. That was his idea of providing for me, so thankful for that.”

As the phone connected, the delivery guy quickly put it on speaker and relayed Kayla’s demands.

Kayla added, “And I can’t be made a criminal here. Clear my name online and tell everyone

09:22

Chapter 116

you made this all up. You have one hour, or Melanie’s pinky is getting mailed to you.”

“Kayla, I dare you lay a finger on her!” Clyde’s roar filled the room as Kayla swiftly hung up.

“Timé it right. Don’t let the cops trace this call.”

“He wouldn’t call the cops, would he?” The delivery guy leered and started to feel up Kayla, who pushed him away.

Kayla got pissed. “Enough, get out. I have things to discuss with her.”

Reluctantly, after a lewd squeeze, the delivery guy left.

die. I’ll

Kayla kept her distance, squatting down to look at me. “Don’t worry. I won’t let you send you back. I promise. After all, you don’t have much longer. I want Clyde to regret this for the rest of his life. Isn’t that wonderful?”

She was beyond reason, but her plan was horrifyingly flawless. If I were to die of cancer and the truth came out, Clyde might lose his mind.

I turned away, refusing to meet her gaze any longer.

When the phone rang again, she lifted it with a triumphant smirk. “See, I told you. Clyde loves you the most.”