No Strings Attached

Chapter 307

Chase's lips twitched with a barely contained smirk. "Hey, if I can become a dad without breaking a sweat, I'm all for it. Not like you, busting your hump for months on end and still no bun in the oven. I'm starting to think it's not Clara's issue. Maybe you're not up to the task."

Ian laughed off Chase's jab with an easy grin. "If you are up to it, where is that kid of yours, huh?"

"Who said anything about wanting to be a dad? I'm just showing some friendly concern, unlike you —cold-hearted and callous."

"Well, you stick around and show all the concern you want. I'm out. Gotta go home and test out the New Year's present my wife got me." Ian dangled a pair of cufflinks in front of Chase, his face the epitome of smug satisfaction.

Chase couldn't help but scoff, "You act like you've actually got a wife to spend the holidays with. Last I checked, you got kicked to the curb. What's there to be smug about?"

"I've got a present, and you don't. That's reason enough for me."

"Ian, grow up, man. Let me see that thing. Where'd you get it?"

"Snagged it at an auction. 'The Violet Kiss' symbolizes eternal love. Get it?"

"Love, my foot. You two split up, and you're still on about love and affection? Embarrassing."

"Buzz off!"

"I won't. I'm crashing with you tonight. My grandpa kicked me out, too."

The two continued their banter as they got into the car, unaware that a short distance away, a man sat in a dark sedan, his gaze on them malevolent and calculating. A cold sneer played on his lips,All content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

"Didn't expect the kid to be such a hopeless romantic. This will make things easier."

The driver inquired from the front, "Boss, Edwin's onto the fact that Heidi is a fake. If this blows up, she's a goner. Should we really go through with it?"

The man in the black cloak chuckled softly from the backseat. "Heidi is just a pawn. Expendable. But this real daughter... now she intrigues me. She could be the perfect lever to manipulate Ian."

His eyes, sharp as a hawk's, were filled with cunning as his hands unconsciously tapped lightly on his legs, his mind replaying a scene from years past.

---

On New Year's Day morning, Clara arrived in Riddleton. She and Sasha went straight to Riddleton General Hospital for a blood test and an ultrasound.

The doctor conducting the checkup was Sasha's cousin. Noticing Clara's nervousness, she immediately comforted her with a smile. "Don't worry, everything looks great. The baby is developing just fine, and all the indicators are in the green. Just focus on taking care of yourself."

When she heared those words, tears began to trail down Clara's cheeks as a weight lifted from her heart.

At the sight of the tiny, indistinct form on the ultrasound, she felt the true rush of impending motherhood. She clutched Sasha's hand, her eyes brimmed with tears, and a smile tugged at her lips as she said, "Sasha, I really am going to have a baby."

Sasha patted her head reassuringly. "I told you the pregnancy test was accurate. You kept doubting it. Now you can relax. Take good care of yourself, and soon, you'll all be together as a family of three."

As they left the obstetrician’s office with the report in hand, discussing what they'd like to eat at home, Heidi caught sight of them. Her fist clenched in fury, she quickly pulled someone close and whispered urgently into their ear.

Clara, in high spirits, linked arms with Sasha as they made their way out of the hospital lobby. Just then, a gurney being pushed past them suddenly swerved, heading straight for Clara's lower back.