Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
“If there’s nothing illicit about your meetings with Juliet, why shroud them in secrecy?” Gerry’s voice carried a hint of challenge.
Cliff’s face darkened. His fingers fumbled with his tie, seeking relief from the suffocating tension in his chest, but found none. Brushing aside Gerry’s probing questions, he commanded with barely contained urgency, “Get her to open the door. Find a way-any way.”
Inside her bedroom, Laney sat in her rocking chair, watching her beloved ballet performance video on repeat. Yet, even this cherished pastime felt hollow tonight, her thoughts consumed by Cliff.
Just then, the sudden rapping at her door jolted her from her reverie.
Composing herself, she called out, “Who is it?”
“Laney, it’s me.” Gerry’s voice filtered through.
Relief flooded through Laney at hearing it wasn’t Cliff, though a twinge of disappointment followed. Throwing on a coat, she padded to the door.
Her heart stopped. There, towering behind Gerry’s tall frame, stood Cliff. She froze, her first instinct being to slam the door shut.
Cliff’s hand shot out to catch it, and Laney, fearing she might hurt him, loosened her grip. That moment of hesitation was all he needed to stride inside.
“Cliff, if you need to talk, do it outside.” Gerry attempted to mediate, tapping the doorframe.
Gerry’s eyes held keen interest in Cliff’s next move.
However, Cliff clicked the lock into place.
“If you lock the door, Gerry might suspect something,” Laney whispered, anxiety creeping into her voice.
Cliff’s intense gaze fixed solely on her face, dismissing all else. “There’s nothing to suspect,” he stated bluntly. “Yes, I had dinner with Juliet today, but it wasn’t a date.”
As the words left his mouth, inner conflict twisted his features. Why did he feel the need to explain himself, when there was truly nothing between him and Juliet? Bitterness welled up in Laney’s chest as she averted her gaze.
“That’s your personal business. You don’t need to tell me.”
Cliff’s heart constricted. “Juliet and I discussed work all day,” he added. “Dinner just coincided with our meeting. You understand my position. I can’t ignore a business partner.”
Laney had never witnessed him justify his actions before. The emotions she’d bottled up suddenly burst forth, her control crumbling.
“Are you really not dating her?”
“No,” Cliff answered with unwavering honesty.
“Then why did Kira say you’ll be her brother-in-law?”
Darkness clouded Cliff’s features. “When did she say that?”
“Today.”
“Did you come to the office to verify this?”
Laney shook her head, her eyes rimmed with red. “I didn’t believe Kira. I just… I missed you so much that I had to see you. But tonight, what I witnessed seemed to validate everything Kira said.”
“I’m not dating Juliet,” Cliff said firmly.
Laney wasn’t naive. Though she trusted Cliff wouldn’t outright lie, she understood his connection to Kira ran deeper than mere business. “Your parents are pressing about your marriage. Is Juliet what they envision for you?”
Her voice emerged surprisingly steady, even as her fingers trembled and she fought back tears.
Something invisible tightened around Cliff’s throat. He voiced words he himself didn’t quite believe, “She’s not.”
A tear escaped Laney’s eye, landing on her lips.
Cliff kissed away her tears. Then, he claimed her lips with his own. Laney melted into his kiss, her vision blurred by tears. “Cliff, please don’t lie to me.”
She refused to become a roadblock to his ambitions, but she couldn’t bear deception.
Cliff responded with a deep “hmm.”
His heart inexplicably heavy, he could only convey his feelings through the intensity of his kisses.
Laney winced at their fervor. Unable to withstand it, she leaned back.
Cliff lifted her into his arms, carrying her toward the bed. Clinging to his last thread of restraint, he merely settled her across his lap. Yet, the kisses weren’t enough to quench his growing desire. When he finally released her, his breathing came in ragged pants as he cradled her face in silence.
Laney’s lips trembled, instinct warning her of dangerous territory. “Cliff, I…” she called out softly.
He cut her off with a hoarse command, knowing her next words, “Don’t speak. Let me regain control.”
“Why hold yourself back?” Laney asked, feeling the sting of rejection.
Cliff offered no answer, burying his face in the curve of her neck.
“Were all those intimate moments between us just you humoring me?” Laney’s voice quivered with each word. Did he not have any romantic feelings toward her?
Cliff raised his eyes to meet hers.
Their breaths mingled, hot enough to ignite the air between them. He tugged at his lower lip thoughtfully. “I never made you any promises. Won’t you have regrets?”
Laney swallowed back her bitter emotions. “Not everything needs to lead somewhere.” Her gaze held steady, resolution clear in her eyes. Electricity surged through Cliff’s veins. The more he tried to maintain control, the more his restraint crumbled.
As desire threatened to overwhelm him, he abandoned his resistance. “Are you sure?”
Laney’s entire body tensed at his question, but she nodded solemnly. “Yes.”
Cliff sighed inwardly. He loosened his hold on her and deliberately unfastened his belt-the one Laney had gifted him. She’d chosen well. It came undone easily.
As the zipper descended, Laney’s breath caught. She squeezed her eyes shut, turning away.
Cliff had anticipated this reaction, gently guiding her face back.
“Where’s that courage now? Look at me.”
Though trembling, Laney stood her ground.
Cliff had only meant to test her resolve, expecting her to retreat. However, her unwavering determination caught him off guard, not even a single word of protest uttered.
In the end, it was Cliff who lost control, her trembling form drawing him past the point of reason. By the time he came to his senses, it was already too late.
Cliff believed he had made a mistake. It was only when he realized he had merely brushed against her legs that he breathed a sigh of relief.
Laney, however, was distraught, assuming he had entered her. She buried her face in the pillow, her body trembling.
Her trembling left Cliff in a daze. He leaned in to kiss her, his face either damp with tears or sweat-he couldn’t tell-but it was suffused with her scent, which intoxicated him. She kept shaking.
In a hoarse voice, Cliff asked, “Are you really that scared?” Laney nodded but then quickly shook her head.
Cliff chuckled. Everything had happened so suddenly, and they were both unprepared. He had no intention of escalating the situation, but he found it hard to move away from her.
Laney had been the initiator, and Cliff found another way to satisfy her needs.
After the passionate moments passed, Laney’s eyes were swollen from crying. She lay in his arms, immobilized by her emotions, occasionally sobbing. She managed to ask, “Is Gerry still outside?”
Cliff gently wiped her tears. “Before I came in, I messaged Caden to get Gerry to leave. He’s been gone for a while now.” Laney sighed in relief.
Cliff adjusted his position. “Let me check if you’re okay.”
Laney blushed. “Cliff, it hurts.”
Cliff knew she was uncomfortable. He had noticed her skin redden but hadn’t stopped himself. Now, with a clear head, he felt regret. He seized the moment to ask, “If we were to go further, it might hurt more. Do you think you could handle it?”
Laney’s voice was soft. “But they say it only hurts at first and then it gets better.”
“They?”
“The characters in the storybook.”
Cliff was at a loss for words.
After applying some ointment for her, Cliff held her as she fell asleep. They seldom spent the night together, and Laney was so exhausted that she quickly drifted off. However, Cliff lay awake, his heartbeat loud in the silence. He gently extricated himself and stepped out to the balcony for a smoke.
Cliff’s thoughts swirled like the smoke he exhaled-endless, yet quickly fading into the night air. Which one should he cling to, and which one should he release? This question haunted him.
After a moment, Cliff extinguished his cigarette and pulled out his phone to call Juliet.
Juliet answered with a lazy chuckle. “Really, calling at this hour?”
Cliff was matter-of-fact. “There’s something we need to discuss.”
“Go ahead,” Juliet responded.
Following his succinct explanation, Juliet asked thoughtfully, “Have you really thought this through?”
Cliff was brief. “The decision is mine, and I’m the one taking the risks.”
“You sound like you’re informing me, not discussing it with me. What if I said I was against it?”
Cliff knew Juliet wouldn’t oppose him. “You’ll agree,” he stated flatly. “Our families’ interests are linked, and neither of us wants trouble.”
Juliet’s laughter was soft but icy. “Your cousin is quite impressive,” she said.
Cliff merely huffed.
Juliet knew better than to entertain certain thoughts aloud. Moreover, Cliff had arranged things so she wouldn’t face any losses. After pondering for a moment, she said, “Alright, I’ll manage the elders. Now, let me sleep.”
Cliff rinsed his mouth and returned to bed.