All Chapters of The Gilded Cage: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Riverdale was located next to the capital, once a booming industrial city, now long past its prime. Stepping into a computer company in Riverdale, I pushed open the glass door.The receptionist, a young woman, was scrolling through a social media app with the volume on. “Breaking news from the elite circle—Daniel Sterling is getting a divorce! “They were straight out of a novel. His ex-wife was a Langston University student. Their love was an intense push and pull, with him chasing while she tried to escape, only to find herself trapped. All because of their families disapproval.“Rumor has it that the infamous cancellation of Flight U8420 years ago was actually orchestrated by him, just to stop her from leaving!“And yet, now they’re divorced. Marrying above your station is like swallowing needles—crossing class boundaries never ends well.” The receptionist was so engrossed in the video that she didn’t notice me. So, I stood there and listened along for a full three minutes.

Walking along the campus path, I would hear whispers around me. "Look, that’s Elaine Warren! She’s incredible!" But now, at thirty-five, how did I end up like this? Scarlett lifted her head, her delicate, youthful face turning toward me. Her voice was soft and gentle. "Elaine, please don’t blame Mr. Sterling. "It happened at the company’s annual gala. We both had too much to drink. "I was going to terminate the pregnancy, but Madam Sterling found out and took me for a checkup. When she learned it was a boy, she insisted I keep it." She rested a hand on her stomach, a faint smile playing on her lips. "You know how much Madam Sterling has always wanted Daniel to have a son. "You couldn’t give her one, so for years, he’s been the one taking the pressure for you." A wave of sheer absurdity crashed over me, suffocating and overwhelming. I clutched my throat, as if the saltwater from that night still filled my lungs. The ridiculousness of it all made me laugh in fury

"Mm!""Pinky promise—cross my heart, no take-backs for a hundred years!"…The exhibition hall wasn’t officially open to the public yet. Only a select few with special invitations were allowed in today.Samuel and I carefully wiped the dust off the picture frames with cloths.Not far away, a gentle female voice drifted over."Anna, this is a piece by the renowned painter Mr. Tobias. If you like it, I will buy it for you, alright?"Hearing that familiar name, my body went rigid.I turned and saw my daughter, Anna Sterling.She was dressed in a layered princess gown, the delicate tulle cascading like blooming petals. A dazzling eight-carat diamond hairpin shimmered in her hair.Her arm was looped through Scarlett’s, their closeness undeniable."Thank you, Miss Snow. We already have three of Mr. Tobias’s paintings at home. This time, I’d like to see more realist art instead."Around her stood three or four other children—her friends, all from the same wealthy circle.It felt as if they k

Through layers of suffering, I was barely pulled back from the brink. After being rescued, I spent three agonizing months in the hospital just to keep the pregnancy. Even then, Anna was born premature. I stood outside the NICU, staring at the tiny, fragile infant inside. Her skin was bluish, her body so small she barely seemed alive. Clutching the emerald pendant my mother had left me, I fell to my knees and prayed, over and over again, “If there’s a God out there, I beg you, please. Please, please… Protect my daughter. “I would trade my years, my happiness, my everything, just to keep her alive.” The sterile white walls of the hospital had witnessed more desperate prayers and silent tears from mothers than any church ever had. Three months later, Anna finally pulled through. As I watched her sleep peacefully, tears streamed down my face. I fastened the pendant around her tiny neck. From that moment on, my life was no longer mine alone. One half still belonged to me.

I shouldn’t fear the storms, the wind, or the rain. I wouldn’t be afraid of the unknown path ahead because I would always save myself, again and again, a thousand times over without hesitation. …It felt like I had been lost in a long, endless dream. Or maybe, I finally woke up from one. When I opened my eyes, my pillow was soaked with tears. The sharp scent of antiseptic filled the air, unmistakably sterile, unmistakably a hospital. I shifted slightly, and beside me, Daniel, who had been dozing, jerked awake. "Elaine, you're awake? How do you feel? Are you feeling any pain?" Anna stood at my bedside, her small hands twisting the lace of her dress. In a timid voice, she whispered, "Mom…" I sank back into my pillow. I had been fine until I woke up to see the two of them. Daniel’s gaze fell on my left eye. He hesitated before speaking. "Elaine… what happened to your eye? "The doctor said you had a prosthetic implanted nine years ago. "Nine years ago was the yea