The unwanted wife’s unexpected comeback

Chapter 1209:

Cliff kept his eyes lowered, methodically washing her body. “Because you made a wish this year, and I overheard it.”

“You were eavesdropping?” Laney’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Cliff’s chuckle filled the air. There was no need for eavesdropping when her eyes had been confessing to him every single day.

Something tugged at Cliff’s conscience—the moment felt right to speak certain truths. But her happiness in this moment was pure, untainted. He couldn’t bring himself to shatter it.

“What’s wrong, Cliff?” Laney asked, catching the shadow that passed across his features.

deeper—never having tasted happiness, or

Laney’s wish without conditions, even though his impending marriage to Juliet loomed at year’s end. At least Laney had these memories of happiness. But when news of his marriage eventually surfaced, Laney’s heart would

sleep claimed her, his mind a battlefield of conflicting thoughts. He’d always detested making choices, yet this year had become a labyrinth of decisions and compromises, leaving his

Cliff immersed himself in company affairs, their paths

kept her distance from his professional world, waiting for his invitations rather

send a message, though his responses were as rare

the darkness inside the Hopkins

to find Laney suspended between sleep and wakefulness, her drowsy requests for kisses met with a newfound restraint—his touches light, almost hesitant, never delving too deep. The exhaustion etched in his features stirred guilt in Laney’s heart. “Cliff, maybe

his voice barely above a

with reluctance as she gently pushed him away.