Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
“Cliff, you think you can just look for free?”
Cliff shot his brother a knowing look and, without missing a beat, transferred a million to Gerry’s account.
“Next time it’s double,” Gerry smirked, pulling his hand away.
As Cliff’s eyes fell on the photos, his brows drew together like storm clouds. Laney had returned to the first destination from their previous journey together.
The images showed her with Kailyn and several unfamiliar faces, but what caught Cliff’s attention was Merrick-the only man in the group-sporting matching ski gear with Laney.
The phone creaked under Cliff’s tightening grip.
Gerry commented from the side, “You have to admit, they make quite the picture together.”
Cliff’s face darkened.
“What garbage are you spouting?”
“They’re dating, so how was I spouting nonsense? Unless you’re planning to play the third wheel and win her back?” Gerry’s lips curled into a provocative smile.
“If you and Laney end up together, she’ll be both my cousin and sister-in-law. Quite the plot twist, isn’t it?”
Cliff asked, “Is it?”
Leaning forward with genuine curiosity, Gerry pressed on.
“Would you ever chase after love, even as the third wheel?”
“Never.”
Cliff’s response cut through the air like ice.
Gerry slumped back in disappointment.
“You’re such a killjoy.”
Cliff returned the phone and forced himself to dive into work, but his mind had other plans. Within minutes, as if guided by an unseen force, he found himself pulling out the itinerary from his trip with Laney. Their second destination had been Chesa Sea.
Though uncertain if he’d read her intentions correctly, his fingers moved with a mind of their own, booking a ticket to Chesa Sea before doubt could take hold.
Cliff had been right all along. He reached Chesa Sea ahead of Laney and her group, checking into the same hotel they had once stayed in together. Using his connections, he learned that Laney had booked two rooms the night prior.
It didn’t take much to guess her plan-she intended to revisit the places they had cherished together, this time with Merrick, to erase their shared memories and create new ones. The thought stung, and Cliff’s chest tightened with frustration.
The receptionist at the desk noticed Cliff’s troubled expression and asked politely, “Mr. Hopkins, is everything alright? Do you need anything else?”
Cliff cleared his throat, his voice rougher than he expected.
“Did Miss Collins happen to mention when she’s arriving?”
The receptionist checked the records and nodded.
“She’s expected around four this afternoon.”
Cliff booked the room next to hers. Once the arrangements were made, he headed to a nearby mall to buy some essentials.
The mall was unusually lively. Balloons and flowers decorated the main hall, and a crowd had gathered to watch a young man proposing. The air buzzed with excitement, but Cliff stayed on the edge, watching from a distance.
The scene brought back a memory he hadn’t thought of in a long time. He and Laney had visited this mall once, late at night. She had run out of clean underwear after their passionate escapades, and he had to buy her some disposable ones as a quick fix.
Ever bold, Laney had insisted on accompanying him. Though her long dress reached her ankles and wasn’t revealing, Cliff had been uneasy, eager to finish the errand and get back to the hotel.
But Laney had other ideas. Playful as always, she had pulled him into the crowd that had gathered around another proposal. Cliff had been anxious but couldn’t resist going along with her.
As they stood watching, Laney had suddenly gasped.
“Oh!” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with surprise.
Cliff quickly asked her what was wrong. Laney leaned in close, her voice barely above a whisper.
“The wind got under my skirt. It’s so chilly.”
She crossed her legs subtly.
But Cliff knew it wasn’t the wind. She was teasing him, her eyes gleaming with mischief, daring him to react.
At that time, Cliff’s exasperation had risen. For a moment, he seriously considered swatting her to make her behave, but instead, he wrapped an arm around her waist and steered her away. The more flustered he became, the more Laney seemed to enjoy provoking him. Her playful antics were relentless.
Back at the hotel, however, the moment Cliff took control, her teasing stopped completely. She went silent, her demeanor shifting in an instant.
A cheer from the mall crowd jolted Cliff back to the present. He blinked, refocusing, only to spot a familiar face in the sea of clapping onlookers. It was Kailyn. She was grinning and clapping enthusiastically.
Cliff froze, his breath hitching as his eyes scanned the crowd. That was when he saw Laney. His pulse quickened. For a split second, only one thought consumed him-if she saw him, she would turn around and leave immediately. He needed to move. Hide. Disappear.
But his body refused to cooperate. His legs felt like lead, and his eyes remained fixed on her face.
Laney stopped walking. While the crowd clapped and cheered, she stood still, lost in her own thoughts.
Cliff could tell she was thinking about the same moment he had just relived.
Laney must have felt the intensity of his gaze, as she suddenly turned her head to look in his direction.
Cliff’s heart skipped a beat. Standing tall, he was impossible to miss. Just then, a giant bear mascot stepped in front of him, blocking Laney’s view and handing him a flyer.
“Hey there!” the mascot said in a cheerful tone.
“Interested in checking out our amusement center?”
Cliff felt a mix of frustration and relief as the mascot blocked Laney’s view, sparing him from being spotted. He took the flyer from the oversized bear and glanced at it without interest.
Noticing Cliff’s demeanor, the mascot assumed he was well-off and began pitching enthusiastically.
But Cliff wasn’t listening. His attention shifted to the mascot’s costume, an idea forming in his mind.
The mascot paused mid-sentence and tilted its oversized head.
“Hey, handsome, do you know me or something?”
Cliff didn’t reply. Instead, he pulled out some cash and handed it over.
“Lend me your outfit for the day.”
Laney wandered into the personal care section, browsing the shelves for her usual brand of sanitary pads.
She had almost reached for a pack when a giant bear mascot silently stepped forward, handing her two packs of exactly what she needed. Startled, she looked up at the towering figure.
Despite its sheer size, the bear costume was undeniably cute, and she couldn’t help but smile.
“Are you an employee here?” she asked, amused.
Behind the bear mask, Cliff stared at her, momentarily speechless. It had been so long since he’d seen her up close. Laney didn’t seem to recognize him. Her warm, unguarded smile told him as much. Cliff steadied himself, held up a small sign he’d scribbled on earlier, and flipped it toward her.
“Available for all services.”
Laney blinked in surprise. It was the first time she had encountered something like this, but she was too tired from the day’s events to overthink it. Instead, she treated the mascot as her personal shopping assistant, casually directing it to fetch items for her.
Cliff complied without a word, occasionally anticipating her needs and grabbing items she hadn’t even asked for yet.
It didn’t take long for Merrick to find Laney. He approached with two ice creams, handing one to Laney while giving the mascot a puzzled look.
Cliff’s hands stiffened, and though his face was hidden, his glare could have frozen fire.
Merrick took a bite of his ice cream and shivered.
“Man, that’s colder than I expected. What’s with the bear? Did you seriously hire a shopping assistant?”
Laney took a bite of her ice cream and smiled.
“Sort of. Having someone help out is pretty convenient.”
Cliff frowned. Eating too much ice cream during her period would only make her feel worse later, but he couldn’t say anything.
Merrick, ever the observant one, glanced at the mascot.
“So, with all the stores in this mall, which one are you promoting?”
Without missing a beat, Cliff handed him a business card for the X Amusement Center.
Merrick examined it with mild curiosity.
“That’s it? Just handing me the card? Aren’t you going to tell me about all the fun activities at your amusement center?”
Cliff held up another sign: “Mute.”
Merrick was momentarily at a loss for words. Feeling sympathetic, he decided to purchase a few tickets to support the mascot’s sales.
Although the amusement center offered a variety of activities, Merrick wasn’t particularly interested. With a quick excuse, he left, promising to meet Laney later for dinner.
Laney, however, was eager to explore. But it didn’t take long for her excitement to wane. After a while, exhaustion crept in, and she flopped onto a nearby bench, leaning back with a sigh.
Cliff noticed and led her to a quieter, more spacious spot. Without hesitation, he picked her up and held her securely in his arms.
Laney rested weakly against the bear’s head, her cheek brushing its soft fur. She peered at his face, unable to see the person behind it. But Cliff could see her clearly. Her sleepy eyes carried a mix of sadness and longing.