Chapter 1297: With careful attention, Cliff helped her adjust her disheveled clothing. A crimson blush crept up to Laney's ears as she whispered, "I need to change my pants too." The dampness had becunbearably uncomfortable.
Darkness flickered in Cliff's eyes.
"If the top is torn, then..." Laney's hand shot up, quickly covering his mouth.
Cliff's teasing was harmless enough—with family still awake in the house, he was content with playful banter rather than pursuing anything further.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtOnce he had thoroughly pampered her back to comfort, he asked, "Whose call did you take earlier?" The memory of a man's voice nagged at him.
"Merrick," Laney answered simply.
A frown creased Cliff's features, displeasure evident.
"Why are you still in contact with him?" "We're friends. Keeping in touch is perfectly normal," she replied.
"He was actually venting about his dad hitting him, asking for my opinion on the situation. But how could I side with him? He brought it on himself by being careless and refusing to take responsibility. He is such a jerk." Cliff's disapproval of Merrick was clearly written across his face.
"Stay away from such immature troublemakers," he warned sternly.
"They're nothing but a bad influence." "He's actually a decent friend," Laney responded truthfully.
"Kailyn enjoys spending twith him too." gvlnovo, the heart of fiction "He's just pretending." Laney glanced at him, recognizing his upset tone but determined to stand her ground rather than yield.
Seeking to lighten the mood, she changed the subject.
"Hey, I feel like having scherries." Two weeks slipped by like sand through an hourglass.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAs the marks on Laney's body finally faded, she returned to performing, while Cliff remained entangled in handling the Foster family affairs.
Their days, filled with their respective responsibilities, kept them both occupied.
Merrick managed to catch one of Laney's performances. Afterwards, he appeared backstage, his usual vibrancy replaced by an air of dejection and frequent sighs.
Seeing him so uncharacteristically down stirred concern in Laney. "What's wrong?"
Dark circles shadowed Merrick's eyes as he confessed, "Remember that woman who was pregnant with my child? My parents are forcingto marry her." "Why not agree? You should take responsibility." "I did agree, but a few days ago I discovered she was back with her ex-boyfriend." Laney's eyes widened in disbelief.
"What?"
"It's not a big deal. I'm no saint either.
I could accept us living separate lives G after marriage.
Running his fingers through his disheveled hair, Merrick continued, his voice heavy with frustration. mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliI0fiflO&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofifl0&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1