Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
In the peaceful interlude before dinner, Cliff immersed himself in his online responsibilities.
Laney, absorbed in her iPad games, occasionally pirouetted over to plant a kiss on his cheek, her ballet dress twirling as she performed an impromptu dance for his pleasure.
As evening descended and the room’s privacy features engaged, Cliff maintained his professional facade while his hand wandered beneath the table, intent on Laney’s pleasure.
Laney’s dress remained pristinely arranged, though beneath its modest hem, his expert touch elicited subtle tremors through her frame.
Eventually, Cliff withdrew his hand, feigning mild annoyance as he examined his glistening palm.
“This makes working rather challenging,” he mused.
A deep crimson bloomed across Laney’s cheeks as she reached for tissues.
Cliff evaded her attempted assistance, instead bringing his elegant fingers to trace her full, rose-tinted lips.
“Eat it up,” he commanded.
Laney was usually obedient, but every now and then, a hint of defiance would surface. Cliff clearly cherished their intimate moments but often teased her during them. She was determined not to let him off easy this time.
After a swift kiss, Laney turned her gaze away and glanced at his watch.
“I want to wear this as well,” she said, pointing to the watch she had gifted him previously.
Cliff grasped the back of her head gently.
“Just kiss a bit longer.”
Laney stood firm.
“I want your watch now!”
Cliff removed it, and Laney snatched it and ran away. She didn’t actually put it on. Instead, she playfully dangled it before him like a toy.
At first, Cliff was able to focus on his work, but Laney’s playful behavior soon captivated him, drawing his full attention. Her boldness had grown remarkably over their years together.
Unable to resist any longer, Cliff left his computer and approached her. Laney stood ready for whatever would come next, meeting his intense gaze with a victorious grin, her cheeks flushed with color. Before their marriage, he had the upper hand, but now she took her turn at control. Cliff caught her restless wrist.
“Honey, do you have any idea what you’re doing?” He knew her better than anyone, familiar with every detail of her.
Laney responded gently, “Does it really matter if I know? Or do you want to take the lead?”
“What do you think?”
“Then you should call me ‘ma’am,'” Laney teased with a cunning smile.
Cliff laughed softly and playfully pinned her down.
After their meal, Cliff escorted Laney for a walk around their villa. The night was lively, despite only a few people being around, as brilliant fireworks lit up the sky, making it seem like daytime.
Caden, carrying Scarlette in one arm and holding hands with Alicia, enjoyed the fireworks for a bit before they made their way to the lakeside pavilion. There, they found Cliff and Laney intimately embracing, sharing a kiss. Alicia cleared her throat lightly.
Laney tensed briefly, leaning into Cliff, her cheeks flushing.
Alicia joked, “Laney, after all this time married to Cliff, why do you still blush when you kiss?”
Laney’s cheeks deepened to a darker shade of red. She shot Cliff a quick glance and whispered, “No, it’s just… It feels a bit warm here.”
Cliff gave a knowing smirk. She was indeed warm, but it wasn’t the climate causing her to feel hot.
Earlier that day, Laney had taken the first step toward intimacy with Cliff, but despite their time together, he was still left feeling unsatisfied. So, he had left the watch with her.
Laney had quietly shed tears several times along the way and was now feeling exhausted. Yet, she refused to admit defeat to Cliff, certain that in the end, he would be the one to feel sorry for her.
Alicia, not giving it much thought, sat down to join them in conversation.
Among their circle of friends, it was well known that Cliff and Laney were planning to become parents, and with Scarlette there, the talk naturally shifted toward children.
Cliff even brought up Gerry.
“He’s in a relationship. You probably don’t know her. She used to be my father’s assistant.”
Caden showed interest.
“Ah, that’s his type.”
“It’s a complicated situation. Last year, Gerry got into some trouble at a bar, which upset my father. Gerry was punished at home for two days, barely recovering. Afterward, my father appointed his previous assistant, a tough woman, to keep Gerry in line. Initially, Gerry and the assistant fought, with Gerry nearly cutting ties with the family. But when I visited Gerry later, I found him hidden in the assistant’s closet, his underwear on backward.”
Caden laughed.
Cliff’s face was unreadable.
“The assistant has a complicated background. Even though she works for my father, my family might not accept her relationship with Gerry.”
They quickly changed the subject as it wasn’t particularly light-hearted. As they continued talking, Cliff noticed Scarlette watching him, her little hand supporting her chin, looking utterly adorable. He smiled at her.
“What’s on your mind, Scarlette?”
Scarlette blinked, looking curious.
“Cliff, can a dad and a husband be the same person?”
Cliff answered without hesitation, “A dad is a dad, and a husband is a husband.”
Scarlette continued, “Just like my dad can only be my dad, and my mom’s husband can only be her husband, right?”
“Yes.”
Scarlette seemed even more confused and glanced at Laney.
“So, you’re Laney’s husband?”
“Yes.”
“But why did I hear Laney calling you ‘Daddy’ earlier today?” Silence fell over everyone at her question. Wait a second. What on earth had happened?
Caden gave Cliff a pointed look.
“What inappropriate thing have you done in front of my girl?”
Cliff was taken aback by the child’s question, finding himself at a loss for words.
Alicia remembered something and asked Cliff, “This afternoon, were you and Laney…?”
Laney felt utterly embarrassed, wishing she could just disappear.
Seeing Laney’s reaction, Alicia’s suspicions were confirmed, and she elbowed Caden.
“Scarlette was taking a nap in the room this afternoon. The walls are thin, so she might have heard something when she woke up.”
Cliff looked at Laney, whose ears were red, and he felt a wave of sympathy. After saying goodbye to Caden and Alicia, he led Laney back to their room.
Laney scolded him.
“You went too far. How will I face them now?”
Cliff brushed it off.
“Scarlette is young. She’ll forget it by tomorrow.”
“But Alicia and Caden also know.”
“They’re adults. They understand these things.”
Cliff’s hand slipped under her skirt, trying to calm her.
“Come on, let’s not worry about it now.”
After the watch was returned to its rightful owner, Cliff kissed her lips.
“Would you dare to do that again?”
With tears in her eyes, Laney said she would.
Once they returned from the resort, Cliff decided to just let nature take its course with starting a family.
Surprisingly, Laney’s period was late that month. Thinking she might be pregnant, she secretly went for a check-up.
The day Laney brought the report to Cliff, the sun was shining brightly. She stood in the sunlight streaming into his office, wearing a green dress, looking unspeakably beautiful.
Cliff, seeing her bright smile, drew her onto his lap.
“Didn’t we just see each other this morning? Missing me already?”
Laney hid the report behind her, the paper rustling in her grip.
Cliff reached out.
“What have you got there?”
Laney let go of the report, and as Cliff unfolded it, his usually composed eyes widened. The report contained two striking words: “Pregnancy Status.”
“Pregnant?” Despite seeing the confirmation, Cliff asked, as though unsure.