No Strings Attached

Chapter 373

After several back and forths, Brodie finally rested his palm atop Clara's head and, with a smile playing on his lips, said, "No more tears now. You're a mother yourself. How come you still cry like a little girl?"

Looking up at him, Clara wiped away her tears and said, "Where have you guys been all these years? Why didn't you contact me? I went to our old house every summer and winter break, waiting for you. When they tore it down, I got into a fight with the demolition crew. I told them if the house was gone, you would never be able to find your way back home."

Although a smile lingered on Brodie's lips, his eyes brimmed with tears when he heard these words. He gently tousled Clara's hair, his voice a bit hoarse, "We were being hunted. Contacting you would've put you in danger. But eventually, we found my mother's family, and we've been well these past years. We're back now to look into my mother's old case. We didn't want to cause you any trouble."

Clara sniffed and questioned, "Is that true? You're not lying to me, are you?"

"When have I ever lied to you?"

"You did when we were kids. You said you were going to the market, and then you never came back."

Remembering the past, Brodie chuckled softly. "Still holding grudges like when you were little, huh?"

He was about to flick Clara's forehead when Ian abruptly caught his wrist. Ian's voice was cold and deep as it pierced his eardrums. "Enough with the touching. Keep your hands to yourself."

With that, he pulled Clara into his embrace, his voice tinged with a hint of jealousy. "Crying over another man like this? Your husband is still here."

As he wiped her tears, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips, the gesture clearly staking his claim.

Brodie couldn't help but laugh. "Jealous already? What if I told you Clara and I shared a lot more childhood memories? Would you go insane with jealousy?" His tone was calm, but the provocation was unmistakable.

Ian gave him a cold look and scoffed, "Child's play doesn't count. Do you think everyone is as serious about it as you? My wife isn't that foolish. She's long forgotten all that, haven't you, Clara?"

Clara bit her lip, unsure how to answer. Whatever she said would hurt one of them.

Just then, Katherine's scream pierced the air from the bedroom. "Ford, Ford, stop, please!" Her voice was a mix of a growl and a sob.

Brodie immediately rushed in and took Katherine into his arms, soothing her gently, "Mom, wake up. You're having a nightmare again, aren't you?"

Katherine awoke from the nightmare. Her forehead was beaded with sweat. She stared blankly at Ian's familiar yet unfamiliar face and involuntarily called out, "Ian?" Property © NôvelDrama.Org.

Hearing this intimate yet foreign address, Ian's breath hitched. He and Katherine hadn't grown close enough to warrant such familiarity. Yet, why did this 'Ian' sound so endearing to him?

It felt right.

His brow twitched, and then he spoke in a deep voice, "I brought Clara to see how your injuries are healing."

Hearing his voice, Katherine finally regained her composure. She smiled faintly, her voice gentle. "I'm much better now, thanks to you both."

Clara immediately went over, took her hand, and said, "Get well soon. I'm really looking forward to your homemade chicken pot pie."

Realizing Clara recognized them, Katherine smiled and patted her head. "Alright, once I'm out of the hospital, I'll make it for you all, but no shrimp - Ian's allergic to seafood."

At that, Ian's dark eyes flickered sharply.