Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
With a neutral expression, Cliff stated, “You can call me directly later.”
Merrick was speechless. Frustrated by Cliff’s interference, he watched them leave.
As they exited, Laney attempted to withdraw her hand.
Cliff looked back.
“What’s wrong?”
Laney murmured, “It’s inappropriate to hold hands like this. People might see.”
Cliff reassured her, “No one here knows us. It’s just family today. The Fosters aren’t coming.”
Laney persisted, pulling her hand away forcefully.
“It’s improper for anyone to see. We’re adults and should keep things proper.”
Cliff fumbled for a retort. For some inexplicable reason, the anger inside him seemed to intensify. He took the flowers from Laney.
“They’re heavy. Let me carry them.”
“Thank you,” Laney responded gratefully.
To Cliff, the roses carried an almost offensive odor. He grimaced.
“Don’t accept any flowers in the future.”
Laney, misunderstanding his irritation as impatience from her making him wait, felt a slight pushback.
“It’s rude to refuse a gift from the audience.”
“Do you really think he’s merely an audience member?” Cliff challenged.
“That’s what he told me.”
“And you just believe everything he says? Have you forgotten all the safety tips I’ve taught you?”
Laney’s annoyance grew.
“Why shouldn’t I believe him? He doesn’t seem like a bad person.”
“Do villains ever confess they’re villains?”
“How dangerous can a handsome man be, really?”
A spark of fury lit in Cliff’s eyes.
“Is that supposed to be some sort of logic?”
In a defiant tone, Laney said, “All villains are ugly!”
By the time they reached the car, Cliff’s expression was stormy. Even the roses appeared droopy.
Gerry leaned out.
“Cliff, why the flowers? Are they for Juliet? She’s already left.”
With a strained smile, Laney corrected him.
“No, Gerry, they were given to me by someone else.”
Once settled inside the car, Cliff slid in next to Laney. As Cliff slammed the door, it closed too swiftly, catching and snapping the roses in half.
Laney was left speechless.
Cliff lifted his hand, the broken stems dangling in the breeze.
“Why are these so fragile?” he asked Laney.
“Do you still want them?”
Laney, at a loss for words, just blinked. As he closed the door earlier, the car rocked with the force. Such strength would be too much for any man, let alone delicate flowers. Keeping her thoughts to herself, Laney said, “No, I don’t want them.”
Cliff handed them off to Gerry.
“Just throw these in the trash later.”
During the drive, Cliff brought up Kira.
“It was wrong for Kira to ruin your dress. But now that you slapped her and Juliet bought you gifts, let’s consider this matter closed.”
After his remark, Cliff studied Laney’s face, anticipating her to be upset or hurt. Instead, Laney was momentarily stunned before nodding.
“Alright, handle it however you think best.”
Cliff instinctively asked, “Aren’t you upset?”
“There’s no reason to be,” Laney answered, her voice calm.
“She didn’t really hurt anyone, and it’s already been dealt with. Why hold onto anger?”
Cliff’s brow furrowed.
Laney added, “I’m considering switching workplaces next year to avoid further issues with Kira.”
“There’s no need,” Cliff quickly responded.
“It’s better not to disrupt your circle of friends. I’ll see that Kira is the one to leave.”
“Don’t get on your future sister-in-law’s bad side because of me,” Laney said.
Cliff’s expression hardened.
“Don’t worry about that.”
This evening, they enjoyed seafood, which Laney loved but disliked preparing herself. Previously, Cliff would always be there, managing everything so Laney could simply enjoy her meal. It was the same now, though Cliff seemed less attentive.
Wanting to be more independent, Laney chose items that were easy to handle. Yet, her gaze often drifted to the dish in the center of the table. She couldn’t reach it with her arms.
Cliff, observing her, decided to wait and see how long she would last before asking for help. He offered none. Finally, Laney capitulated.
“Cliff.”
Cliff softened his expression and turned to her.
“Yes?”
“Could you ask Gerry to come over?” Laney requested.
Cliff paused, fork in hand.
“Why do you need him?”
“I’d like some crab. I want him to assist me with that,” Laney explained.
Gerry vaguely heard someone calling out to him and turned his head.
“Laney, were you calling me?” he asked.
Before Laney could respond, Cliff shoved a piece of lobster into Gerry’s mouth.
“Don’t worry about it,” Cliff said flatly, effectively silencing Gerry.
Without another glance, Cliff turned back to meticulously extract meat from the shell, placing it on Laney’s plate with precision.
A waiter approached their table and offered, “Sir, let me assist you with that.”
Without lifting his gaze, Cliff declined, “No need.”
Only he knew which parts Laney enjoyed the most.
Midway through the meal, Cliff’s phone began ringing. His hands were occupied, so he glanced at Laney, asking her to check who it was. Laney noticed the slight bulge in his pants pocket and instinctively reached in, only to find it empty.
Confused, she reached deeper, brushing against his thigh in the process. The unexpected touch made Cliff freeze, his eyes darkening slightly. He stiffened and said in a low, hoarse voice, “It’s in the jacket pocket.”
Laney’s cheeks flushed as memories of their past intimacy surfaced, vivid and unsettling. She quickly retrieved the vibrating phone from his jacket, grateful for the table’s size, which kept Gerry oblivious and Philip and Madison too far away to notice.
“Who’s calling?” Cliff asked, his tone even.
Laney glanced at the screen.
“It’s an unknown number. The last digits are 6666.”
Cliff paused. He knew who it was-Merrick. Most likely delivering Laney’s phone. Yet, Cliff suspected Merrick’s motives ran deeper.
“Hang up. It’s probably a nuisance call,” Cliff instructed calmly. Laney hesitated.
“A nuisance call with such a unique number?”
“It’s a virtual number,” Cliff replied, dismissing her doubts.
“Oh, I see.”