No Strings Attached

Chapter 48

Maybe that’s just the difference between love and indifference. With a word from his sweetheart, he’d take it as gospel. But no matter what she’d say, he’d think she was just playing games.

Clara suddenly flashed a wicked grin, her beautiful almond–shaped eyes shimmering with mischief. She flipped over and pinned lan beneath her. Her hot, moist kisses landed on his seductive Adam’s apple.

Her voice was soft and seductive, “Mr. Hayes, is this what you want? I can put on a show just for you.”

Her gaze was intense as she traced her nimble fingers across his face, her touch filled with temptation and allure.

lan grabbed her wandering hand in a firm grip. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he struggled to speak, “Clara, does it have to be like this? wasn’t it better before?”

Clara leaned in close to his ear, her chuckle shallow and light, “Isn’t this the

no–strings–attached game you wanted? Any extra thought from me would be a disservice to your words.”

“Clara!” lan’s eyes grew cold, “You asked for this.” With that, he flipped her beneath him, like a beast unleashed.

All night, he took her again and again. Each time he nearly took half of Clara’s life.

Throughout, Clara was compliant, without a single complaint.

But something was missing for lan. The old Clara would have cried and cursed him if he was too rough, and she would have even bitten him. Now, she was like ticking off a checklist, executing her duties flawlessly.

She seemed passionate and gave in with moans of pleasure, but it wasn’t the feeling lan

craved.

He looked down at Clara, exhausted and fast asleep in his arms, and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. His voice was barely a whisper, “How long are you going to keep fighting me?”

The next morning, Clara woke up with her body aching all over. She glanced beside her, but lan was already gone.

She let out a self–deprecating laugh. This was what her relationship with lan was supposed to be, wasn’t it?

Clara got herself together and was about to head downstairs when her phone suddenly

reng. Seeing an unfamiliar number, she frowned but answered anyway.

An urgent voice came through immediately, “Is this Mr. Casey’s family? He attempted suicide in prison. He’s at Saint Anne’s Hospital in critical condition, Please come quickly.”

Clara’s mind went blank. It took her several seconds to process the information.

Her father had attempted suicide and was now fighting for his life.

She hung up in a panic and dashed out of the bedroom. As she reached the door, she crashed into someone.

Seeing Clara lunging towards him first thing in the morning, lan’s lips curved in amusement, “Didn’t get enough last night?”

He was about to kiss Clara when she pushed him away mercilessly. Clara’s eyes were teary as she looked at him. Faced with the life and death of her father, even as strong as she was, she needed someone to lean on.

She wanted to tell lan about her father’s suicide and ask him to accompany her, but remembering how he ignored her when she needed help and was bleeding, Clara hesitated. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

She took a few steps back, her voice steady, “I’ve gox

taking the day off.”

Without waiting for lan’s reaction, she dashed out the door.

to take care of. I’ll be

lan’s gazes were intense as he watched her back as she left. He could tell Clara was hiding something from him. He could hear the tremble in her voice.

But from her eyes, he also knew she didn’t want to tell him.

lan’s brow furrowed. He immediately took out his phone and called Dawson, “Check if there’s something going on with the Bell family.”

Dawson’s surprised voice came through, “Mr. Hayes, Mr. Casey attempted suicide in prison, didn’t you know?”