?<strong>Chapter 1235:</strong>


    Laney had been just neen when she joined the Hopkins family. Back then, she was young, unsure of herself, and still finding her ce. To Cliff, she had always been a child. And even now, three yearster, he still treated her like one.


    Cliff didn’t respond. He turned back to the suitcase and reached for thest bag inside.


    Before he could grab it, Laney’s hand shot out, snatching it first. But it was toote—he had already seen the outline through the fabric. It was her underwear.


    “Cliff, you should go now,” Laney said hurriedly, opening the wardrobe door and turning her back to him as if to disappear into its shadows.


    “I need to shower and rest.”


    Cliff gave a quiet nod, stepping back, but something caught his eye. Inside the suitcase, a small bracelety forgotten.


    Cliff picked it up and stared at it for a moment, recognition dawning. It was the bracelet from their trip to the church. The priest had called it a symbol of evesting love, a promise of growing old side by side.


    Laney stiffened. Her expression faltered, but she quickly reached out and took it from him.


    “I meant to throw it away,” she muttered, her voice barely audible.


    Without hesitation, she tossed it into the trash bin.


    Cliff’s face remained unreadable as he bent down and retrieved it.


    “Laney, is there anything else you’re holding onto?” he asked.


    She hesitated but shook her head.


    “Good.”


    Then, slipping the bracelet into his pocket, he added, “I’ll take care of it.”


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    Laney’s breath hitched.


    “Why are you keeping it?”


    “Because I know you’ll dig it out of the trash after I leave,” he said, his voice low and unyielding.


    “You don’t need to do that, Laney.”


    Laney had believed that hearing about Cliff’s engagement to Juliet was the worst pain she could endure. But now, she realized that as long as her connection with Cliff wasn’t fully severed, every encounter chipped away at her emotional strength.


    As Laney turned to leave, Cliff bid her goodnight, as he always did.


    “I missed yourstpetition, but I promise I won’t miss tomorrow’s performance,” he said with a faint smile.


    Laney felt a familiar ache in her chest, hollow and suffocating. Even breathing seemed like a chore.


    “It’s fine,” she said softly, avoiding his gaze.


    “You don’t have toe.”


    The following day, Laney sat in the makeup chair, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. She tried to steal a nap, but rest eluded her.


    The room buzzed with voices, gossip flowing freely like an unending stream. Someined about Kira’s domineering attitude, while others expressed pity for Laney.


    Kira, ever the provocateur, had entered to show off, only to overhear their snide remarks. Fury ignited within her, and she stormed into a full-blown confrontation in the dressing room.


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