When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

Staying domestic seemed far safer than venturing abroad.

Galen Brown was a smart cookie, having run circles around the Talbot crew for years.

Seeing the lack of surprise on our faces, Lisa got steamed.

"You two don't seem shocked. Hey! We're in this together, spill it if you've got something!"

She slammed her hand on the table, "Melanie! Out with it, or I swear I'll hop into bed with your husband!"

Clyde shrank behind me, while I deftly changed the subject.

"I'd like to meet Geneva. Any chance you could arrange that?"

I was certain Geneva held key insights, but now wasn't the time to let Lisa in on the Galen Brown situation. Geneva and I used to be on good terms. If she truly despised me, there had to be a reason behind it. She wasn't unaware of my family's past. She was in middle school back then, not a little kid anymore.

Either she'd gotten the wrong end of the stick, or she was doing this on purpose.

Lisa shrugged, "She's not your biggest fan, always harping on how much she dislikes you."

"My dad's people are keeping an eye on her. You getting close might be a long shot, plus she might not spill even if she sees you." "If you trust me, let me do the talking."

I nodded in agreement. It wasn't about trust; she was my only option.

If I got anywhere near Geneva, Talbot would be on high alert, possibly even catching wind of my hospital visit.

If Galen was indeed the old man in question, his knowing Geneva was in Talbot's clutches could spur him into action.

Though Talbot's motives were murky, I had a hunch it tied back to past events.

"You're curious about the past, but she was young, might not know much," Lisa pointed out.

"Maybe you should seek out Galen Brown. He's got your trust fund, after all."

Lisa eyed me keenly as I looked away.

The trust fund was a fabrication by Clyde, likely setting Lisa up for disappointment.

But my fictional wealth didn't impact our alliance.

After hashing out our next moves, Clyde and I watched her sprawled on the couch.

"What's this? Kicking me to the curb once I've served my purpose?" She raised her glass.

"Aren't you leaving?" Clyde snapped back, clearly irritated.

Lisa pouted, then quickly switched to a grin. "Clyde, what's up? You're gonna kick me out just like that?"

"I lay awake at night thinking of you, and all I get are cold shoulders. It hurts, you know."

Clyde ducked behind me again, and

suddenly remembered him joking about a ghost in the room. Lisa, always in red, did resemble a vengeful spirit.

Seeing Clyde's cowardly stance, she finally stood up with a laugh.

"I'll be around, especially with Talbot breathing down our necks."

"Last time's drugging didn't cut it,

who

s what he'll try next?

Tammie's probably at her lim n your backs. G

so

"And about that project, remember to let me handle it."

With that, she gracefully picked up her purse, walked to the door, turned back, and said, "Melanie, if you're divorcing him, let go gracefully. Why cling to him?"

"Mrs. Patterson might share a surname with 'River', but it's Clyde's choice in the end, isn't it?"

With a huff, she finally closed the door behind her.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

I walked to the door, spotting two shady figures in the safety corridor.

Clearly, Talbot trusted no one, not even his own daughter.