Get Out of the Cage

Melanie's eyelashes fluttered. "This is..."

Before she could finish, Ken grabbed the pregnancy report and shoved it back into her purse. "I put it in your purse. I'm going to find Jen. Make sure you leave without being seen!"

Without giving her a chance to respond, he hurriedly handed her the purse and walked away.

Melanie couldn't hold back any longer and called after him, "Ken, what if I'm pregnant?"

"I was careful. Don't worry, you won't get pregnant! And if you do, get rid of it—it would ruin me otherwise!" Ken interrupted her again before leaving in a rush.

Melanie stood there, feeling as if she had plunged into an icy abyss.

He was just as cruel to her as he would be to their child.

But in a way, that made things easier. At least she wouldn't feel guilty about hiding the existence of their child.

Melanie returned to her hotel, eyes red as she deleted every post about Ken from her social media and left all his fan groups. She even deactivated the fan account she had built up for him, despite how much it hurt. Then, she drew a big cross on the 23rd on her mini calendar.

She gave herself only seven days to end this sad excuse of a relationship with Ken. Seven days later, she would leave for good.

By the time Melanie was done, it was nearly dawn.

At that moment, Ken called her. "I feel like having seafood porridge and some fresh ravioli today!"

"Ask someone else. I don't have time."

Melanie had stayed up all night, and her head was pounding.

In the past, no matter how exhausted or unwell she felt, if Ken said he wanted her cooking, she would push through and go to the market to buy fresh ingredients.

Ken was picky about food. It had to taste good and be freshly made, or he wouldn't eat it. For years, he had almost exclusively eaten meals she prepared.

Once, she scolded him. "You have a bad stomach. You need to eat regularly and stop being so picky. If you only eat my cooking, what will you do if I'm not around someday?"

Ken had dismissed her concerns. "You love me too much to ever leave me."

Thinking back on his words, Melanie felt a complicated mix of emotions. He still didn't know she would be gone in six days.

If his stomach acted up in the future or he skipped meals, it would no longer be her problem.

After hanging up, Melanie tried to catch some sleep. When she woke, she ordered takeout. Just as she set the ravioli on the table, Ken suddenly barged in with Jennifer.

"Melanie!" Ken called angrily, but his expression softened when he saw the steaming ravioli.

He shot her an exasperated look. "No wonder you didn't reply to my messages or answer my calls—you were making ravioli! Next time, even if you're busy cooking, let me know or I'll really get mad!"

Melanie frowned, wanting to tell him not to flatter himself. The ravioli weren't for him. Before she could speak, Ken brushed past her, picked up a ravioli, and fed it to Jennifer.

"Try it," he said dotingly. "Melanie's cooking is amazing. You'll love it!"

Jennifer took a bite directly from his hand, then teasingly licked his finger with her tongue. Ken gazed at her, the desire in his eyes obvious.

The meal was now ruined for Melanie. She no longer had any appetite. Her stomach churned in disgust, and she turned to leave.

However, Jennifer stopped her. "Melanie, your cooking is excellent! From now on, I want to eat it every day. You should feel honored. Many of my fans would kill for this chance, but I wouldn't give it to them!"

This was just takeout. How good could it be? Jennifer was clearly trying to humiliate her.

Melanie refused. "I'm not a chef."

Right after she said that, Ken rebuked her. "Enough! Why are you giving Jen an attitude?"

Jennifer pretended to pull Ken back. "Ken, don't be upset. Melanie's famous and talented. Lots of people would love to poach her. Aren't you afraid she'll leave if you treat her this way?"

Ken gently ruffled Jennifer's hair. "You don't need to worry. Anyone could leave me, but Melanie never would."

He turned to Melanie, his gaze now cold. "Jen wants to eat your cooking from now on. Any problems with that? If you don't want to cook for her, then don't bother cooking for me either. I'm sick of your food anyway!"

"Fine."

Melanie looked at Ken, feeling no desire to argue further.

He was tired of her cooking, just as he had long grown tired of her as a person.

It didn't matter. Six more days, and she would set him free.