Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Turning to Laney, Madison asked, “Laney, what are your thoughts?”
Laney felt no real pressure. She knew that her relationship with Merrick wouldn’t last-she could end things whenever she wanted. Her mind was more occupied with Cliff.
“I have no objections,” she replied, giving a neutral smile.
“Merrick is wonderful. I’m sure I’d be happy if I married him.”
Madison’s face flashed with a hint of annoyance. She quickly glanced at Cliff, who remained calm, deliberately avoiding eye contact.
Cliff continued eating in silence, his expression unreadable.
After dinner, Laney left with Merrick. As the car window rolled up, she could feel Cliff’s intense gaze on her-powerful, commanding, and penetrating. She wasn’t sure what frightened her, but she couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes.
Once the car pulled away, Merrick couldn’t hide his surprise.
“You actually agreed? Do you really plan to marry me?”
Laney felt a weight in her chest and answered, her voice flat, “No, we’re not getting married. I just said yes to keep the peace.”
“Then I’ll let my mom know to drop the idea.”
“Good.”
Merrick noticed her downcast expression and asked, “Laney, are you alright? Did I come on too strong today?”
Laney shook her head.
“It’s not you.”
She wasn’t troubled by Merrick, but by the unexpected lack of emotion from Cliff. His calmness today had ironically reminded her of her past reactions. Clearly, he had no romantic feelings for her-otherwise, how could he have stayed so detached?
Feeling gloomy, Laney went out for drinks with Merrick. Knowing her low tolerance for alcohol, she made sure not to overindulge. After returning from the restroom, she found Merrick in the middle of making out with another woman. His hand was slipping under her blouse, pulling out her bra.
Unable to continue watching, Laney lost all interest in drinking. With a sigh, she booked a private room to rest.
She lay on the sofa, flicking through a movie. As time passed, her boredom grew, and soon, she drifted off to sleep.
In her dream, she saw Cliff sitting beside the sofa, gently caressing her face and murmuring her name. He stayed silent beyond that, then leaned in to kiss her.
The kiss felt shockingly real, the unmistakable scent of whiskey lingering, heightening her sense of intoxication.
She trembled, waking herself from the dream.
As her eyes fluttered open, Cliff’s handsome face was inches from hers, pulling away from her lips.
“Cliff?” Laney gasped, stunned.
He hummed softly in response.
“You’re awake. Time to settle our unfinished business.”
Laney was confused.
“What unfinished business?”
Cliff didn’t reply. Instead, he gently lifted her long dress, revealing her knees. He placed a brief kiss on them before his lips began a slow, deliberate trail up her thighs.
Laney’s eyes widened in shock, and instinctively, she squeezed her legs together around his head.
“No, you can’t do this!”
To the outside world, Cliff appeared composed, rigid, and perfectly conventional. But behind closed doors, he was anything but.
Laney often initiated their playful teasing, yet she was always the one begging for mercy in the end. Cliff had a way of turning the tables, blending strength with creativity in ways she could never predict-or handle. His hands were firm, but his mouth… That was where he was relentless.
When it came to simple touches, Cliff could exercise some restraint. But when he used his teeth, Laney’s resolve crumbled. The moment his teeth sank into her skin, it was as though a different side of him emerged-wild and unyielding. The more she struggled, the stronger his grip became.
Bites on her hand, shoulder, or leg were something she could tolerate-brief bursts of pain that faded quickly. But now… there were places she wouldn’t allow him to go.
Laney stood her ground, refusing to let Cliff push her past her limits. Yet before he could even make a move, she was already pleading, her voice trembling with desperation, offering every sweet word she could muster.
However, Cliff remained unmoved. Her offhand lunchtime comment, “I have no objections,” had stirred something in him, a tension that refused to dissipate. He couldn’t let it go-not until he had worked through it.
The room was silent, save for their muffled voices and the sound of her struggling protests.
Thankfully, the walls were soundproof. No one outside could hear the storm brewing within.
Over half an hour passed before Cliff finally felt satisfied. He had pushed her to her limits, leaving her trembling and spent.
Laney’s nose was red from crying, her eyes glistening with tears as she looked at him with a mixture of resentment and vulnerability. Without hesitation, Cliff scooped her into his arms, his lips seeking hers again and again, ignoring her trembling protests.
“Where do you want to go?” Cliff asked, his voice calm now.
“The Hopkins residence? Or your place?”
Laney blinked, her mind too frazzled to process the question.
“What?” she whispered, her voice distant.
Cliff’s husky voice whispered near her ear, sending chills down her spine.
“Where do you want to do it?”
Laney stiffened immediately, shaking her head in panic.
“I don’t want any of this,” she said firmly, her voice trembling with both anger and fear. Her body was sore and weak, and frustration bubbled to the surface.
“Let me go, Cliff! I don’t want you!”
Cliff’s sharp gaze bore into her, unwavering.
“You don’t get to choose this time,” he said coolly.
“If you can’t decide, I’ll make the choice for you. My parents are out for the night-it’s just us. So, will it be the living room, my bedroom, or the study?”
A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
“Though, your bedroom is always my favorite.”
Laney clamped her hands over her ears, shaking her head in desperation. She kicked at him, thrashing wildly, but her strength was no match for his.
Cliff caught her ankle with ease, pulling her effortlessly into his arms. Her clothes were already disheveled, barely hanging on her frame. He didn’t bother fixing them, instead wrapping her securely in his coat and carrying her toward the door.
“Cliff, let me go!” Laney’s muffled voice rose in protest, but the music outside drowned out her cries.
The deafening bass thumped in the background, colorful lights flashing chaotically as Cliff walked through the crowded space. He carried her openly, paying no attention to the stares that followed. On his way out, Cliff ran into Merrick, who was staggering slightly, his breath reeking of alcohol.
Merrick’s eyes lit up with relief when he spotted Cliff.
“Cliff! Have you seen Laney? She disappeared-I’ve been looking everywhere.”
Under the coat, Laney stirred frantically, her muffled voice breaking through.
“Merrick! Help me! Please!”
Merrick froze, his expression shifting from confusion to shock. He finally noticed the small, struggling figure wrapped in Cliff’s arms.
Cliff fixed Merrick with a piercing stare. His voice was calm but carried a dangerous edge.
“Merrick, are you going to stop me?”
Merrick hesitated, shifting uncomfortably. After a long pause, he stepped aside.
“No. I trust you to take care of Laney better than anyone else.”
Laney’s eyes widened in outrage as she struggled against Cliff’s grip.
“Merrick, you’re unbelievable! I’ll never forgive you for this!”
Cliff decided it would be best to take Laney to her place. It was quieter, with no chance of interruptions.
As they drove through the dimly lit streets, Laney’s emotions boiled over.
“I don’t understand you!” she snapped, her voice trembling with anger.
“Why is it okay for you to get engaged to someone else, but not for me?”
Her voice cracked, and tears filled her eyes as the memories resurfaced. She remembered every cold glance, every indifferent gesture. Juliet. The dates. The jewelry. The day he’d brought Juliet home.
Cliff didn’t respond right away. Instead, he reached out to gently wipe the tears streaming down her cheeks.
Laney turned her head sharply, avoiding his hand, and wiped the tears away herself.
Cliff sighed, his voice softer now, tinged with regret.
“Laney, I didn’t realize how much you meant to me until I almost lost you. I made mistakes-terrible ones.”
Laney clenched her fists, her frustration growing.
“Mistakes?” she repeated bitterly.
“When I cared about you, you wouldn’t even let me near you. And now that I don’t want anything to do with you, you refuse to let go. How is that fair, Cliff?”