The unwanted wife’s unexpected comeback

Chapter 1148:

Worried about Laney’s injury, Cliff took her to the hospital.

While waiting for medical attention, Laney had calmed down considerably. She sat in silence, her face showing traces of tears, lost in thought.

Just then, her phone buzzed with a text from her friend Kailyn. “Is Cliff Hopkins really your cousin? Since you’re staying in the Hopkins family villa, do you spend a lot of time with him? Do you have feelings for him? He’s quite a catch!”

Laney took a photo of her foot and sent it to Kailyn, asking, “Aren’t you concerned about my foot at all?”

Kailyn’s response came quickly. “With your cousin there, why worry? Tell me, do you like him? How many cousins do you have? Introduce me to one of them! I’m not picky, even if he’s only half as good-looking as Cliff.”

Laney didn’t reply. Her mood sank even further. In reality, Cliff hadn’t even stayed with her. He had worn a dark expression during the drive to the hospital and had quickly left after walking her toward the clinic entrance, likely frustrated by the situation.

She could feel her heart race as the intensity of his gaze weighed on her. She quickly looked away, shifting uncomfortably in her seat.

“You’re still in pain,” Cliff finally said, his voice softer than before. “You shouldn’t be thinking about the theater right now.”

Laney’s brow furrowed slightly. “I don’t want to be a burden. I’ll be fine,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Cliff didn’t say anything for a moment, his attention back on her foot as he carefully adjusted the ice pack. He had known her for so long, yet somehow, the young woman before him now felt different. It wasn’t just the maturity in her features or the way she carried herself—it was something in the way she spoke, the subtle shift in her tone that made him realize she was no longer the child he had once thought of her as.

“You’re not a burden,” he said quietly, his fingers gently securing the ice. “But I’d rather you get better first.”

Laney felt her chest tighten at his words. It wasn’t the first time he had been kind to her, but this time, it felt different. The warmth in his voice made her heart flutter in a way she wasn’t sure how to handle. She glanced at him again, catching his steady, unwavering gaze.

“Thanks,” she muttered, though she wasn’t sure if it was enough to express the gratitude she felt.

Her phone buzzed again, pulling her attention away from Cliff. She glanced at the screen, seeing another message from Kailyn filled with more heart-eyed emojis and an eager question about her feelings for Cliff. Laney quickly turned her phone face down, not wanting to entertain the thought.

Cliff noticed the change in her demeanor but said nothing. He had already seen enough to understand the dynamic at play, and he didn’t want to add to it. His thoughts drifted back to her phone earlier, the photos, the casual flirtation, and the unanswered questions that lingered in his mind.noveldrama

Still, he chose to remain silent, his protective instincts in check. It wasn’t his place to interfere too much. If Laney was trying to figure out her own feelings, then it was for her to decide, not him. And yet, something in his chest tightened at the thought of her being swept away by someone less sincere than him.

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