When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

When Nurse Nannie walked in, I could feel the tension spike in the room.

"Lily, what brings you here for injections? Did you check in first?"

"Um, Nannie, I, I just..."

Lily was stumbling over her words, clearly flustered, while Vinson had a firm grip on her wrist.

"I saw you injecting something from your pocket into the vial. Hand it over!"

His tone was icy, not caring whether Lily struggled or not, he reached straight into her pocket.

To everyone's surprise, there was indeed a vial in there. Nannie's face turned pale as she handed it over.

"Lily, the patient is allergic to this medication. Didn't you know?"

All eyes turned to Jenny as she just collapsed onto the floor, bursting into tears.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I..."

Seeing her like this, I guessed she was manipulated.

I softened my voice, "Lily, right? We don't know each other; you wouldn't harm me. But someone paid you to do this, right?"

She nodded then shook her head in desperation.

"Ms. Crawford, I swear I didn't know anything."

I continued to reassure her, "Since the needle hasn't been injected, it's considered an attempted crime. Just tell us who's behind this, and you'll be fine."

"I can also testify that you were coerced. This wasn't your intention."

I knew these badgeless nurses were interns. To intern in a small town like this, I suspected Lily didn't have a high level of education.

If this got out, no hospital would hire her.

After pondering for a moment, she finally handed me her phone.

"It was this number that added me on WhatsApp, then transferred me money. The first time, I was asked to add a bit of Vitamin C to your IV, then some sugar syrup. Both times I was paid."

"And the third time, they asked you to add a lethal drug?"

Seeing the bunny avatar, I had my suspicions about who it was.

If I remembered correctly, Kayla's private WhatsApp had the same avatar.

She probably thought I was as good as dead, not even bothering to change her account.

"I just wanted to earn some extra money. I didn't know about your allergy..."

"Bullshit, didn't you check the patient's file?" Nannie seemed really upset, starting to grab Lily to call the police.

I stopped her, after all, I was unharmed, and Kayla was a key figure in the Patterson family. It would likely be swept under the rug. Better to gather all evidence and then tackle all charges at once.

I took the transaction records and chat screenshots, and had Lily write down everything that happened, sign it, and even add her fingerprint. Then, I let Nannie take her away for a stern talking-to.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Vinson stayed silent by my bed until the nurses left, then finally spoke. "Kayla?"

I nodded.

"Not calling the police?"

I nodded again.

"Why?" His voice carried a hint of confusion.

I sighed silently, replying, "She's pregnant, with Clyde's child."

That single sentence left Vinson speechless.

Knowing the significance of this child for families like the Pattersons and the Russells, he understood.

He sat by my bed, trying to hold my hand. I pretended to fix my hair, avoiding his touch.

"Melanie, I'll protect you. You don't have to be afraid."

"I'm not afraid." I looked down, avoiding his gaze.

Understanding my situation, I knew it was better not to owe any emotional debts.

The next day, I booked a flight back to the city with Lina to return to the company. When Kayla saw me, she glared viciously.

"Ms. Crawford, taking a leisurely half-month business trip without a care in the world."

"Did my business trip increase the

of logistics? That's realet

sing. My desk is pret

pretty

dusty, isn't it?"

My response was dripping with sarcasm.

Clyde rushed over, immediately standing by my side.

"Kayla, what are you doing here instead of at your desk?"

"Clyde!"

Kayla looked at him with feigned innocence, then back at me with resentment.

"This woman spends so much time away with another man, who knows what they've been up to?"

"Why are you still defending her? You should know I..."

She stopped mid-sentence, her hand instinctively touching her belly.

I silently applauded her; she had secured her golden ticket with that pregnancy.

Seeing her gesture, Clyde's lips twitched, but he held back any harsh words.

Kayla smiled triumphantly at me,

"Must have been nice, spending avet

that time with Mr. Wilson. You

el

probably didn't want to come back,

huh?"

Clyde, already wary of my association with Vinson, looked even more displeased.

I glanced at Kayla, then at an angry Clyde, and simply smiled.

"Right, if I had returned earlier, how could you two enjoy yourselves at my place, right? But be careful, Kayla. They say the first trimester is the most delicate. Wouldn't want anything to happen to the baby."

I snapped my fingers towards her belly, then walked away.

"Melanie!" Clyde called out my name with fury, but I didn't even break stride.

I kept telling myself, just a little longer, and once the baby was born, I could leave.