When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

Marilyn paused for a moment, then quickly explained, "Doctors are swamped these days, especially the surgeons. Your accent doesn't sound local. Are you here on vacation or for work?"

I was caught off guard by her initiating the conversation, but I decided to be upfront with her.

Lies have a way of unraveling; honesty is the best policy.

"Talbot is my uncle, and we're here for a collaboration between the Patterson Group and the Crawford family. My husband was probably injured on the construction site."

She nodded thoughtfully, "I see, so you're a Johnson as well."

"Do you happen to know..."

"Ouch!"

A familiar voice rang out as the janitor's cart overturned again.

This time, several bottles shattered, drenching Marilyn in their contents.

Her face immediately turned cold, tinged with a hint of disgust.

"Such carelessness could have hurt a patient!"

"We've told the hospital time and again not to rely on those who are past their prime. Honestly."

She kept wiping her clothes with a tissue, clearly a bit of a germaphobe - not uncommon among doctors.

Marilyn probably lost interest in probing further, muttering about her bad luck as she returned to her office.

I stayed behind to help the old janitor clean up.

I was about to pick up the shards when the old man stopped me. "Be careful with your hands."

He swept the floor meticulously, checking my shoes and pants for any glass pieces before he continued on his way.

His actions choked me up. Only those who truly care would go to such lengths.

Galen was always meticulous, my dad used to say. Without his attention to detail, he wouldn't have made such a skilled accountant, let alone manage a big company.

The last time, he was just as cautious removing plastic wrap from me...This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org: ©.

As the janitor pushed his cart away, I called out softly, "Galen."

He paused for a moment but didn't stop, limping away.

I didn't chase after him this time, but I was sure this man was Galen Brown.

Perhaps the fire had changed him, his appearance, and his voice.

Maybe he was here for his de

Finding him could lead us to the truth about what happened back then.

swnofr

The hospital was packed, so I didn't hang around long and rushed back to the patient's room.

Clyde had woken up, his spirits lifted slightly at seeing me.

Seeing his

and hisms and legs bandaged my eyes welled up with tears yds,

t belongs to

He smiled at me, but the pain made him wince.

Lisa rushed over. "Clyde, are you okay? Where does it hurt?"

I was on the verge of tears, but her presence somehow held them back.

Why was my emotional resilience so low compared to hers?

Clyde shot her a look before turning back to me.

"Melanie, when did you get here?"

"Just now."

I didn't dwell on it, instead turning to Lisa and Talbot.

"Talbot, Lisa, you guys can head back. I'll stay."

"That's not right. Clyde got hurt saving Tina; she should be the one to take care of him."

Talbot nudged Lisa, who clearly looked annoyed, her expression full of disdain.

But in a split second, her demeanor changed, "Right, Clyde saved me, I should definitely stay."

"Melanie, you go back to work. I'll stay with Clyde."

I had no patience for her theatrics, so I just sat on one side of the bed while she took the other.

As soon

stood

up with a look of disgust, as if

albot left the room, Lisa

the hospital bed was contaminated.

Seeing Clyde's mood sour, I blurted out before they could start another argument.

"I think I saw Galen Brown!"