No Strings Attached

Clara's voice was soft and gentle, like a light drizzle. She knew Sasha was naturally competitive and had a touch of pride. From an observer's perspective, she felt Sasha had feelings for Chase. Otherwise, Sasha wouldn't have slept with him more than once. She wasn't someone to take such matters lightly.

Clara just didn't understand what was bothering Sasha.

Sasha listened to Clara and curved her lips in a smile. "Alright, stop worrying about me. I better focus on taking good care of my godson. He's due in two months, and I'll help you prepare your maternity bag." For safety, lan hadn't hired a nanny for Clara, and Casey, being a man, didn't think through some things thoroughly. Sasha always brought baby supplies whenever she visited.

The two sat in the living room, one reading from a phone, the other packing items into the maternity bag. They were perfectly in sync.

When lan walked in from outside, this was the scene he saw. He felt a pang in his heart.

If it weren't for the continuous troubles in the Hayes family, he wouldn't have let Clara go through such hardship. These were matters that professionals should have handled.

He strode into the living room with his long legs. Clara saw him, and her face immediately lit up with a brilliant smile. She put down what she was holding and walked toward him. "You're back?"

lan wrapped her in his arms, his pale, slender fingers wiping a bead of sweat from Clara's nose. "I was worried about you, so I came back to check on you," he said in a deep voice.

Clara rubbed her face against his chest and looked up at him. "Does this mean Brodie is helping you? So, can you spend more time with me and the baby?"

"Yes, I'll try to come home for lunch every day to be with you. How does that sound?"

"That sounds wonderful. Then I won't have to worry about the baby being in danger and you not being around."

lan heard her say this and tenderly stroked her head. Clara was already having a hard time being pregnant, and she was worried about the baby's safety every day.

He wondered if Clara was always on edge when he was not around. After all, besides Casey, there were only bodyguards at home. Without another woman present, Clara

so del.ne

would surely panic if she went into labor. .

lan kissed Clara's forehead softly. "How about this, as the due date approaches, I bring over your grandmother and my mother?"

Clara shook her head. "They are of age, so let's not worry about them. I'll be fine. In case of an emergency, someone will take me to the hospital. Besides, my father is always here, so don't worry."

lan was moved by Clara's

considerate and caring attitude and couldn't help but hold her tighter. He rested his head on her shoulder. His voice was filled with endless guilt. "Clara, I'm sorry you've had to suffer. After the baby is born, I'll make it up to you." Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Clara smiled. "In less than eight weeks, we'll meet our baby. I'm so looking forward to that day."

lan gently stroked her head, his voice tender. "So am I."

They shared a moment at the door before turning to go inside, but lan's phone rang on the other end, Teo's urgent voice came through. "Ian, 10 met one of your grandmother's old neighbors today. She told me a secret. Leonora is not your grandmother's biological daughter. She was adopted from an

10

orphanage."