Get Out of the Cage

Melanie didn't have to cook, anyway. She only needed to buy meals for six more days.

Not wanting to watch Ken and Jennifer fawn over each other any longer, she stepped outside and sent a large cash gift to her colleagues at work. Then, she made a call.

"Can you help me pack up my stuff at the office and throw it all away? I'm planning to replace everything with new stuff."

"Sure, I'll take care of it later."

"Thank you."

Those were things Ken had bought for her. She once cherished them, but now, she didn't want to keep a single thing.

After hanging up, Melanie drew a cross over the 24th on her calendar and immediately got to work. She had a script to revise and had to deal with Ken and Jennifer's demands, leaving her utterly swamped.

When she received a call from Jamie Grant early on the 25th, she was momentarily confused.

"Hello, who's this?"

"It's me!" Jamie said. "Do you remember that you promised to fly to Hillridge in five days?"

She picked up the tension in his voice.

Thinking about Jamie's global reputation, his godlike features, and the intimidating aura he exuded, Melanie found it hard to believe someone of his caliber would be nervous over one of her decisions.

Her mind cleared instantly. "I do!"

"Great! I'll book you a first-class ticket for the evening of the 30th. Does that work for you?"

"Perfect. But no need for first-class—an economy ticket is fine."

Just as Melanie finished speaking, Ken leaned over and stared at her. "A plane ticket? Where are you going?"

"It's been a while since I visited my parents. I thought I'd go see them," she replied, her voice unnatural.

She had never lied to him before.

However, Ken didn't notice at all. Instead, he scowled. "If you leave, what will Jen and I eat? I'll hire the best caretakers and nurses for your parents. There's no need for you to go back."

Upon hearing that, Melanie was rendered speechless. At that moment, an overwhelming sadness for her past self washed over her. Did Ken truly think she was meant to ignore her family and friends just to cater to his every whim?

Ken, oblivious to her silence, continued, "A few companies know your contract is about to expire and are trying to poach you. Have they reached out to you?"

"Yeah," Melanie answered perfunctorily, not even wanting to engage with him.

"I don't know where they got the confidence to think they can steal you from me. Just remember to be polite when you turn them down. Don't embarrass me or make unnecessary enemies."

Melanie lowered her head, hiding the emotions in her eyes. "What if, one day, I decide to leave?"

"Don't joke about that! It's not funny," Ken said with a laugh, as if he'd heard the most ridiculous thing. He kissed the back of her hand. "Why are your hands so cold again? I'll have Leo bring you your favorite mango milk!"

And yet, he snatched the takeout bag from her and hurried off to deliver breakfast to Jennifer.

Watching him leave, Melanie smirked and continued to revise Jennifer's script according to her absurd requirements.

She had been working for hours when Jeremy came looking for her.

"Melanie, everyone's gone to Ms. Knowles' award celebration. Why are you still here? Hurry up! Ken booked the entire hotel. I heard he's going to confess to Ms. Knowles in front of everyone!"

Upon hearing this, Melanie's head, muddled from revising the script, went blank.

She thought that no matter how ridiculous Ken was, he wouldn't go so far as to confess his love to someone else while still being with her. It had to be a misunderstanding.

Despite that, when she arrived at the hotel…

"So many fireworks!"

"He probably bought every last rose in the city!"

"Oh my god! Look at the massive drone display! It's a portrait of Jennifer and Ken, and it even changes!"

"This is even more romantic than a TV drama! He pulled out all the stops!"

Everywhere, people were marveling at Ken's extravagant display of affection for Jennifer.

Only Melanie stood frozen while she gawked at the scene.