Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
“No one will dare say a word.”
Gerry nodded.
“True.”
As they drove toward the theater, Gerry suddenly glanced at Cliff.
“By the way, Cliff, how do you know Laney’s measurements so well?”
Cliff kept his eyes on the road, replying flatly, “I estimated.”
Gerry raised an eyebrow.
“Estimated? It’s a ballet costume. Those need precise measurements. What are you, a walking measuring tape?”
Cliff didn’t bother responding. Instead, he parked the car and got out, walking ahead.
Pulling out his phone, Cliff checked for any missed calls or messages from Laney. There were none. It wasn’t that she couldn’t reach him. She had simply chosen not to and gone to Gerry instead. But she used to call him for everything.
Half an hour later, Laney spotted Gerry as he arrived with the bag. Relief flooded her chest, and she hurried toward him.
“Gerry!” she called out, her voice brimming with gratitude.
In her rush, she nearly slipped on the polished floor, but Gerry caught her arm just in time.
“Whoa, slow down,” he said with a grin. Laney steadied herself and then took the bag, quickly unzipping it to check the contents.
Gerry chuckled.
“What, don’t trust me?”
Her cheeks flushed, and she shook her head.
As she looked up, her eyes caught movement behind Gerry. Standing in the shadows was Cliff, dressed in black, his figure almost blending into the dim light.
Her heart sank. Laney quickly averted her gaze and focused on Gerry.
“I’ll go change now. Thanks, Gerry.”
“Alright,” Gerry replied with a small nod.
As Laney walked away, Cliff stepped forward, his cold expression unreadable. He stopped beside Gerry, his voice low but firm.
“How did her costume get ruined?”
Gerry said, “It seemed to be about makeup. Did the dress get accidentally stained during the process?”
Cliff disagreed. When Laney had called earlier, her voice had been anxious, tinged with unmistakable anger. Given her temperament, he knew a mere accident with the makeup artist wouldn’t have upset her so much. It must have been deliberate.
“Stay here and watch Laney during her performance,” Cliff said before heading to the dressing room.
As Cliff turned to leave, Juliet approached.
“How is your cousin doing?” she asked bluntly.
Cliff stopped, eyeing her with suspicion.
“What do you mean?”
Juliet appeared both uneasy and apologetic.
“Kira had a fight with a friend while they were applying makeup. They knocked over a table, and it stained your cousin’s dress.”
Juliet handed Cliff a bag.
“Here’s a new dress I just picked up. Get it to your cousin quickly so she can change before her performance.”
Cliff looked down. Peeking through the bag’s opening, he saw several velvet boxes-gifts likely to be appreciated by women. Juliet was always meticulous, but today her actions seemed excessive. Cliff said, “I’ll understand what happened once I review the surveillance footage.”
Juliet responded, “I already checked with it. There was a problem with the cameras earlier. They weren’t recording today.”
Cliff gave a cold laugh.
“Were they truly off, or did you ensure they were?”
Juliet remained composed. She laughed lightly and said straightforwardly, “Don’t you check on Kira first? Her face is quite swollen from the slap Laney gave her, and she didn’t retaliate. I know you care deeply for Laney, so I got gifts and a dress to make amends. Isn’t that enough?”
Cliff thought of Laney’s hand when he heard about the slap. How forcefully had she struck? Her hand must be hurting.
At this point, Gerry tried to redirect Cliff’s focus.
“Cliff, the performance is starting soon. Let’s handle this after Laney has finished dancing.”
Cliff’s expression remained cool. Eventually, he gave in.
“There’s no need for me to intervene. Miss Foster is quite capable and has already handled it.”
Juliet caught the sarcasm in his tone and said, “If I weren’t sharp, how would I ever manage to be your future wife?”
Cliff responded, “After the performance, I’ll arrange for your sister to have dinner with us as an apology from Laney.”
Juliet frowned.
“Kira is particular about her public image. We should skip the dinner.”
“Oh, really?” Cliff raised an eyebrow, his smile tinged with irony.
“So, any future issues between your family and my cousin will be resolved with a simple apology from my side?”
Juliet was at a loss for words. She was baffled by Laney’s seemingly gentle nature clashing with her fierce actions. It seemed Cliff’s shrewdness had influenced Laney.
Cliff had secured the prime seat, providing an unobstructed view of the stage. Soon after he settled in, a tall young man took the seat next to him.
Cliff and the man quickly drew the crowd’s attention, as they were both notably striking. Cliff, dressed in a suit and tie, radiated a cool, sharp aura.
The man beside Cliff, likely in his mid-twenties, wore trendy yet understated attire. His slightly long hair featured light gray highlights, and his sharp features gave him the look of a movie star. The two men presented contrasting styles, each charismatic in his own right.
Cliff observed the man and ventured a guess at his identity.
“Mr. Acosta?” he inquired.
Merrick Acosta, recognizing Cliff’s distinguished presence, extended his hand politely.
“And you are?”
“I’m Cliff Hopkins.”
Merrick instantly connected the name and said, “Ah, Mr. Hopkins.”
Initially, Merrick’s father was supposed to attend the performance, but a last-minute change had sent Merrick instead.
Though Merrick had little interest in business or ballet, his impeccable manners meant he would remain until the performance concluded. Cliff, however, was intent on the stage. As the lights dimmed, he fixed his gaze on Laney, positioned on the right side.
Laney’s costume differed slightly, and her striking features and poised figure made her even more prominent. Her movements were fluid, her performance appearing effortless.
As they watched, Merrick clicked his tongue.
“Is the girl in the center the one you’re supporting, Mr. Hopkins?”
Cliff’s face remained impassive.
“No.”
“I thought not. Your standards wouldn’t allow for endorsing someone with such an uneven technique.”
It wasn’t just Kira’s technique that seemed off. Her performance appeared constrained and awkward, as if she might lose her balance at any moment.
Merrick mused aloud, “She’s probably the mistress of some wealthy benefactor.”
Cliff kept his thoughts to himself.
Merrick didn’t seem put off by Cliff’s reticence. He remained quite comfortable.
Merrick soon laughed lightly and said, “The dancer on the far right, wearing the dress with pink hues, is quite good.”
Cliff’s expression subtly shifted.
“Yes.”
Encouraged by Cliff’s acknowledgment, Merrick asked, “Do you know her?”
“She’s my cousin.”
Merrick drew out a long “oh.”
“So, she’s your cousin.”
Cliff fell silent once more. Was it his imagination, or did Merrick just seem relieved?
As the performance concluded, the audience erupted in applause.
Kira’s performance had been marred by nerves, leading to several errors. Earlier, she had been slapped, leaving her dizzy and unsteady. During the final bow, she stumbled and fell. Some audience members gasped, while others laughed. Overwhelmed by humiliation, Kira hurried off the stage before the curtain call was complete.