No Strings Attached

Chapter 305

"So what if you assigned me a bodyguard? I still got drugged and knocked out cold, Ian." Clara's voice trembled as she faced him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Look, I'm not unreasonable, but these dangers are getting to me. They scare me to my core."

"As long as I'm with you, the danger never stops. And to protect myself and my family, I have to walk away. I'm begging you, please, just... stay away from me, okay?"

She had made up her mind to leave him, to keep the existence of their child a secret. There was no turning back now, not when so much was at stake.

"It doesn't matter if I get hurt, but our child... is so little, so fragile. A single fall could be the end. I can't take that risk," she thought.

Ian's heart ached at the sight of Clara so fraught with fear. He reached out and gently stroked her hair. His voice dropped to a husky whisper, "There's no way Heidi and Leonora could pull off something this covert on their own. There's got to be a bigger fish behind them. When I catch whoever it is, you'll be safe. Clara, there are things I can't explain right now, but trust me, you're in more danger away from me than by my side."

From the accident that took May's life to Casey's kidnapping, every incident had been executed flawlessly, leaving no trace for the authorities to follow. It was clear evidence of a mastermind with formidable evasion skills, someone whose ambitions went beyond just a few lives.

Before Clara could respond, Chase's roguish laughter echoed from the doorway. "I was wondering why I couldn't reach you on the phone, Ian. Looks like you've been busy chasing your wife."

Chase sauntered in, his eyes crinkling with a knowing smile as he held a gift box. Ian shot him a cold glare and said without a hint of mercy, "It's the holidays, Chase. Shouldn't you be visiting your fiancée instead of crashing my wife’s place? Get lost!"

Chase scoffed, "You're so affectionate it's almost like you actually married Clara. Don't forget, your marriage certificate is only half complete. Don't preach to me."

"It's just a matter of a stamp, which I could get with a single phone call. I want to make it meaningful by going there with my wife."

"Then why don't you take Clara and see if she follows you? Your messes aren't any cleaner than mine, so don't act all high and mighty."

As the two men bickered, Sasha burst out of the kitchen. Her eyes immediately locked onto Chase, the epitome of casual defiance in his grey coat. She couldn't contain her irritation. "What are you doing here? You're not welcome!"

Chase waved at her playfully. "Grandpa kicked me out. Just here to scrounge up a meal. Casey, you wouldn't turn me away, would you?" Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

The house was not full of guests for the holiday. Casey couldn't help but beam with joy. "Of course not! When you're here, you're a guest. Come help out, and then we'll all eat."

"Right on, I'm in."

The New Year's Eve dinner was a lively affair, with the three men each too stubborn to back down, ending up with more than a few drinks in them. They stumbled outside to watch the fireworks over the square.

As the clock struck midnight, Clara felt a tug at her waist and then a strong scent of alcohol. By the time she realized what was happening, Ian was pressing close, his eyes tender as he gazed at her, his voice rough with the rasp of drunkenness.

"Darling, may you be safe and fulfilled, year after year." With those words, a warm kiss landed softly on Clara's blushing lips.