Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
“Just fondness, not something permanent. If I wanted to, anyone could take your place eventually!”
Sensing her frustration, Cliff’s demeanor softened, worried she might break down. He said gently, “The mistake was mine last time. I lost my temper and said things I shouldn’t have. Please, give me a chance to make it right.”
Laney was momentarily taken aback but quickly composed herself. Wasn’t this the same line he used to charm her a month ago? She made up her mind not to be fooled by it again.
She gathered her strength and pushed him away.
“There’s nothing more to fix. You had your reasons back then, and I understand why you didn’t trust me.”
Her cold tone left Cliff feeling a mix of regret and helplessness.
“What can I do to earn your forgiveness?”
Laney responded, “Leave me alone.”
Cliff stood up.
“Laney…”
In frustration, Laney grabbed a pillow and hurled it at him, yelling, “Fuck off!”
Her eyes burned with anger, truly enraged.
It was the first time Cliff had ever heard her swear, and it shocked him, oddly exciting him. He was such a pervert that even her curses seemed to stir something in him. He calmly picked up the pillow, pushed aside his inappropriate thoughts, and said, “Fine, I’ll fuck off. You sleep some more, and when you’re up, I’ll take you to dinner.”
Cliff kept his promise and left without causing further trouble.
Laney, fearing he might return, quickly locked the door before finally relaxing. She touched her lips and then wiped the sweat from her face before heading to the bathroom to take a shower, cleaning herself of any traces of Cliff.
At about nine o’clock that evening, Cliff came back, carrying some snacks for the night. He used a backup key card to enter, only to find the bed was empty. Laney was nowhere to be seen.
Cliff tried calling her, but unsurprisingly, she didn’t answer. He decided to search for her downstairs. Knowing she couldn’t drive, he guessed she might be out with friends at this time. He opened a mobile app to locate Merrick’s car. To his surprise, it was parked in the underground garage. They hadn’t gone out?
When Cliff checked the exact location, he was shocked to see two figures in the car. Could Laney and Merrick be together in there? Sitting together in a car in the parking lot at this hour?
Cliff felt uneasy, so he decided to investigate. As he approached the parking lot, he noticed Merrick’s car nearby, shaking noticeably. Muffled panting and rhythmic thumping sounds reached his ears.
Realizing what was happening, a whirlwind of thoughts filled Cliff’s mind, his pulse racing. Instinct took over, and he moved swiftly toward the car. Without hesitation, he yanked the door open.
Inside, Merrick was beneath a woman with long, wavy hair, straddling him.
Both froze, eyes wide in shock at Cliff’s abrupt intrusion.
Cliff stood there, speechless.
A few seconds later, the woman let out a startled scream and tried to get up, only to slam her head against the car’s roof. She let out a pained groan and slumped back down.
“Oh, crap!” Merrick doubled over, grimacing as a wave of pain shot through him from the woman’s clumsy movements.
Who said men couldn’t empathize? Even Cliff, who had faced countless hardships in the military, could feel the depth of Merrick’s pain at that moment.
Cliff grabbed a jacket from the seat beside him and tossed it to the woman huddled next to Merrick.
“Cover yourself up.”
Terrified, the woman quickly wrapped the jacket around herself and turned to Merrick with concern.
“Are you okay?”
Cliff looked at her intently.
“What is your relationship with him?”
“Nothing. We just met at the bar tonight. I don’t even know his name.”
Cliff shot Merrick a sharp look.
Merrick was curled up, his face flushed, his neck stiff from the overwhelming pain radiating through him.
“Do you need me to call 911?” Cliff asked.
Merrick responded quickly, his voice strained.
“No… Please don’t…”
He could endure the physical pain, but the embarrassment was too much.
Cliff spoke deliberately.
“Are you sure? That looks serious.”
Merrick lifted his head slightly, glaring at Cliff with pure resentment.
He was furious. This was all Cliff’s fault! Did he ever give him the right to open his car door? Hadn’t he seen a shaking car before? He should have just ignored it!
Merrick wanted to lash out, but the pain left him incapable of doing anything more than groaning in frustration.
Despite his dislike for Merrick, Cliff chose to rise above the situation. He helped him get dressed and supported him back to his room. As they stepped out of the elevator, Laney approached with Kailyn by her side.
Merrick immediately straightened up, pretending as if nothing had happened.
Laney’s expression hardened the moment she spotted Cliff.
Noticing Cliff supporting Merrick, she asked, “Merrick, what happened?”
Cliff withdrew his hand expressionlessly.
Without his support, Merrick stumbled, barely managing to stay on his feet. Laney quickly stepped forward to steady him, offering her help.
Cliff reached Merrick before Laney.
“What’s going on? Did someone hit you?” Laney asked, eyeing Cliff with suspicion.
Merrick, not one to falsely blame others, replied, “It has nothing to do with your cousin. I just twisted my back while walking.”
He gave Cliff a subtle elbow nudge, signaling for some backup.
Cliff didn’t hesitate.
“He’s not telling the truth. He got hurt during a romantic encounter in the car.”
The room fell silent at his revelation.
Merrick’s face reflected deep indignation.
“Cliff, what have I ever done to you?”
Laney, frowning as she noticed Merrick’s pale face, interjected, “Enough now. Let’s get you back to your room.”
She moved to support Merrick, but Cliff brushed off her hand.
“I’ve got this.”
Laney wasn’t having it. She shoved him away.
“No need. A stranger shouldn’t get involved in this.”
Cliff found himself speechless.
Merrick, genuinely touched by Laney’s concern, said, “You’re the best. Don’t worry, I won’t lean on you.”
Cliff watched them leave with a cold gaze, hesitated, and then decided to follow.
Kailyn seemed eager to be part of the action, but Cliff shot her a look.
“I need to have a word with Laney. Leave us.”
Kailyn responded hesitantly, “Oh.”
Merrick sprawled on the bed, starting to browse his phone to order some medicine online.
Laney had barely a moment to herself before Cliff pulled her aside.
“You didn’t seem surprised by his car escapades. You knew he often fooled around behind your back, didn’t you?”
Laney nodded, acknowledging the truth. After things fell apart with Cliff, Merrick stopped pursuing her actively. They were just friends now. She faced Cliff.
“Yes, I’m aware. What about it?”
Cliff frowned.
“You still ask ‘what about it’? Are you trying to make me angry?”
“This is my life. It’s none of your concern,” Laney reminded him, her voice firm.
“Even if you were my brother, my personal life wouldn’t be your business. And you’re not, so you have even less say in the matter.”
Cliff’s temper, fueled by her raised voice, began to cool. He paused and reflected, coming to the realization that there was one important thing he needed to remember.
Laney felt a sense of satisfaction as she realized that Cliff needed to set aside his pride, control his temper, and adopt a more cooperative attitude. She believed that by doing so, regaining her trust would simply be a matter of time.
Cliff looked at her intently for a moment, his voice softening.