No Strings Attached

Chapter 23

“Clara, just because I ignored your little temper tantrum, you go and abort our child? How could I have ever known you to be so cruel!”

Clara glared back at him, her eyes bloodshot with fury. “I told you, it wasn’t me! You’re the one who killed our baby, not me!”

“The proof is right there in black and white. Are you still trying to wiggle out of this?”

“What if I told you someone tampered with the medical records? Would you believe that?”

lan let out a cold, mocking laugh. “This hospital belongs to the Hayes family. Once a record is entered into the system, it’s locked down. Even I can’t alter it. If you’re going to lie, Clara, at least get your story straight!”

He released his grip, his gaze lingering on the red marks on Clara’s pale neck while a sharp pain twisted in his

chest. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Clara’s face was ghostly as she stared back at lan. This was the man she had loved for seven years, the man she had cared for, for three years. He would never believe her, no matter what.

A desolate smile crept onto her face, the resentment in her eyes growing more intense. “lan, shouldn’t you be relieved? Relieved I didn’t use the baby to trap you into marrying me?”

“The nerve you have! Even if there had been a child, I would never have married you!”

Clara managed a stiff smile. She should be grateful the baby was gone. Otherwise, the child would have lived a life marred by the stigma of illegitimacy. Her gaze was resolute as she faced lan. “I didn’t want any ties with the Hayes family, lan. I didn’t want my child to have a father like you, so I ended it. Are you happy now?”

lan had never felt such rage. It felt as though every cell in his body was screaming. He clenched his fist and smashed it into the wall, blood trickling down the pristine surface.

He glared at Clara with venomous eyes, his voice like that of a demon risen from hell. “Clara, you owe me for this!” With those words, he kicked open the door and stormed out.

Heidi jogged after him, her voice laced with anxiety. “lan, you’re hurt. Let me bandage that up for you.”

No matter how much Heidi called out, lan didn’t stop. He got into his car and floored the gas pedal, his mind swirling with thoughts of Clara aborting their child. How much must she hate him to be so heartless, not even sparing their own flesh and blood? His hands clenched the steering wheel, his foot pressing the accelerator to

the floor.

Chase looked at the blood on the wall, then at Clara’s pale face, and couldn’t help but shake his head. “Soap opera drama’s got nothing on you two. Can’t you just talk things out without going full– on War of the Roses?”

He picked up the report from the floor. “lan’s right. The hospital records are untouchable. Clara, what’s really going on? Talk to me, and I can help you investigate.”

The tears Clara had been holding back finally fell, streaming down her cheeks. She wiped them away quickly,

her voice filled with defeat. “There’s no need.”

She wanted to keep some dignity. What did it matter if they found proof she wasn’t lying? The child wouldn’t come back. lan wouldn’t have an ounce of sympathy for her.

Clara stood up, her steps heavy as she walked towards the door. But just as she reached it, her phone rang from her pocket. Seeing it was Anders calling, she answered immediately. “Anders, what’s wrong?”

Anders‘ voice was frantic. “Clara, come back now! Mr. Casey has passed out.”

Clara hadn’t even recovered from the shock of lan’s accusations when her father’s critical condition hit her like a blow. Her head spun, and she staggered back, feeling faint.

Seeing her distress, Chase immediately asked, “What’s happened? Is it your dad?”