Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
“Alright, I won’t interfere. So, when are you planning to end things with him?”
Laney responded coolly, “Who said I was breaking up with him?”
“He’s unfaithful.”
“And you?” Laney shot back.
“What right do you have to accuse him of unfaithfulness?”
Cliff’s gaze grew sharper, but he maintained his composure as he processed her criticism.
“I’ve never been with anyone else,” he replied, his voice steady.
Laney was surprised by his words. Then, she scoffed.
“Never? Not even with Juliet?”
“No.”
Laney was completely unconvinced. After all, Juliet had spent the night at the Hopkins family residence and had even worn his clothes. It seemed obvious they had been intimate. But Laney chose not to pursue this line of thought. It would only make her more upset. She opened the door to her room and began to walk inside.
Cliff followed her at a relaxed pace.
“Using Merrick as a shield won’t help. My parents will eventually find out about his chaotic personal life. If they intervene, you two will end up breaking up anyway.”
Laney stood by her door, staring at him with a neutral expression.
“Then perhaps you should pick someone you find acceptable for me. I trust your judgment.”
Cliff’s grip tightened in frustration.
“No one could be more right for you than I am.”
Laney gave a small smile, a knowing look in her eyes.
“You?” She shot his past words back at him.
“But how can family-even if not related by blood-fall in love? Cliff, this isn’t appropriate.”
Cliff’s expression hardened. Laney’s words were not harsh, but they took him back to the Laney he used to know. She had been only twenty when she first confessed her love to him. Back then, he had taken a moral stance, speaking harshly to her, and watched as tears filled her eyes.
At the time, he hadn’t thought much of it, but now he understood the depth of her pain. After everything he put her through, she had finally given up.
Cliff gazed at her, lost in thought.
Laney’s eyes were tinged with red as she asked softly, “Can I ask you something?”
Cliff felt a tightness grip his throat.
“Sure. Go ahead.”
“Why did you come after me to Chesa Sea? For someone as detached as you, why the sudden change of heart?”
Cliff was momentarily stunned. Why? Because he couldn’t stand the thought of losing her. He wanted to hold onto her and care for her. She didn’t know that ever since she moved out, he had been living with constant remorse and regret.
“Laney,” Cliff said in a raspy voice.
“I want you to find happiness with me.”
Tears began to gather in Laney’s eyes.
“But you’ve made me more miserable than anyone,” she said, her voice breaking.
“You were with Juliet to please your mother, and you allied with the Foster family for the sake of the company’s future. You planned everything down to the last detail, yet you never thought about how I would feel. How is that supposed to make me happy?”
Cliff’s heart felt as though it was being ripped apart. He instinctively moved to hold her.
“Laney, I’m sorry.”
Laney stepped back, her eyes teary, her vision of his face blurry.
“I don’t want your apologies, nor can I endure your torment any longer,” she begged.
“I can’t pretend what you did never happened. I don’t like you anymore, Cliff. Let me move on.”
Cliff gazed at her pale face, a fear unlike anything he had ever felt rising within him.
“Laney,” he pleaded.
“Please don’t say that.”
Laney didn’t answer. She simply closed the door on him without a word.
Cliff stood outside, his heart throbbing painfully, his vision clouding over. He had never known such heartache, as if his blood had stopped flowing, leaving him frozen in place.
A chilling cold replaced the warmth in Cliff’s chest, seeping deep into his bones. It was so bitterly cold that he couldn’t even gather the strength to lift his hand to knock on the door.
Laney was merciless. She not only left the Hopkins family but also resigned from her job at the theater. Yet, she didn’t abandon her passion for dance. She joined a well-regarded new theater, starting a new chapter in her life. Her previous fame earned her a fast track at the new venue, primarily landing her solo performances. This allowed her to flourish in the spotlight without the complications of any entanglements.
On the day of Merrick’s mother’s birthday, Laney was featured as a special guest to perform a dance titled “Mermaid.”
Her stage, crafted to resemble an underwater world, stretched out before her, clear and boundless, with vibrant fish creating a breathtaking backdrop. With her golden tail, she blended seamlessly into the scene, becoming a true mermaid princess who enchanted the audience.
As her performance ended, Laney gracefully approached Merrick’s mother and presented her with a beautiful pearl as a gift. Merrick’s mother smiled brightly, showering Laney with praise.
Merrick said to his friends, “She’s my best friend.”
Beyond the water and glass, Laney’s gaze drifted past the audience to the VIP section, where her eyes landed on Cliff. It had been some time since their last encounter, and he appeared more calm and mature, his piercing gaze fixed on her, as though trying to capture every detail.
Laney then surfaced from the water.
Merrick was quick to hand her a towel.
“Outstanding job,” he whispered, offering a thumbs-up.
“It exceeded my expectations by far.”
Laney smiled, catching her breath. The performance, short as it was, had put her under great pressure due to the water, and she felt exhausted. She made her way to the dressing room without delay.
Aware of the need for privacy due to gender, Merrick didn’t stick around, simply saying, “Get changed and join us for dinner. My mom has a thank-you gift for you.”
“Okay,” Laney responded and took a swift shower.
The shower only left her feeling more exhausted. Wrapped in a towel, she stumbled out, looking for something to eat that might lift her low blood sugar.
At that moment, footsteps approached.
Laney looked up and froze.
Cliff smoothly placed another towel over her shoulders for warmth.
“How many times have I told you to dry off completely before you come out?”
Despite her previous efforts to keep their distance, their unexpected encounter felt so effortless that Laney found herself unable to reject his gesture.
She leaned against the sink, gripping the towel tightly. It wasn’t that she hadn’t dried her hair. She simply didn’t have the strength. Her palms were slick with sweat, and a sense of weakness washed over her.
Cliff had been quietly observing her, but when he saw her lips lose color, he asked, “What’s wrong?”
Laney turned away.
“It’s none of your business.”
Cliff understood immediately. He pulled a piece of chocolate from his pocket, unwrapped it, and handed it to her.
She couldn’t say no. Her body craved the sugar.
“You skipped eating before the performance again?” Cliff asked, clearly displeased.
Laney replied distantly, “Did you come to see me for something?”
Cliff explained, “No. I noticed you seemed unsteady after your performance. I figured you might not have eaten and was concerned about your blood sugar, so I came to see if you were doing well.”
While everyone else celebrated her remarkable performance, Cliff couldn’t stop thinking about her fragile appearance and the strict diet she followed.
Worried she might catch a cold, he grabbed another towel to dry her damp hair. But before he could reach her, Laney turned her head away.
“I can handle this myself. You should go. If someone sees us together alone, it might start rumors.”
A wave of sadness washed over Cliff.
“Rumors don’t bother me.”
Laney frowned.
“Well, they bother me. I still plan on getting married someday.”
Cliff was unaffected by her sharp words. A small confrontation seemed better than the restless nights spent longing for her. He asked, “Have you broken up with Merrick yet?”
Laney had no desire to share any truths with Cliff.
“No, I haven’t.”