No Strings Attached

Chapter 21

Clara tilted her head back, locking eyes with him. Her gaze was icy, her eyes rimmed with the faintest hint of

red.

“What if I am? Are you going to strap me onto an operating table and get rid of it, Mr. Bayes?

lan’s expression darkened as he stared at Clara’s gaunt cheeks for an eternity before he finally spoke Why wouldn’t you tell me something this important?”

A bitter laugh escaped Clara. “Would you want me to tell you early just so you take out child away as soon as you can? Is that it?”

“Clara, can’t you just listen to me for once? lan’s grip tightened on her chin

Her eyes, misty with unshed tears, met his “Mr. Hayes, you’re about to marry someone else and start a family Even if I were with child, would you even care?”

at her defiant face. No matter how much Clara struggled, he hold firm to her wrist and started walking towards the maternity

tried to break free, but lan’s uncompromising voice stopped her. “Don’t worry,

shattered heart ached more at his words lan was taking Heidi, the woman he loved, for prenatal care, all the while planning

child to be discarded by its own father? With these

arm free. “Don’t trouble yourself, Mr. Hayes. I’m

took a few steps back, glanced once more into lan’s inscrutable dark eyes, and turned to leave But before she could get far, she was swept off her feet. lan’s deep voice rumbled

don’t deserve to

hospital room. Only then did he notice how much thinner Clara’s face had become. “I thought you were capable of taking care of yourself. How come you’ve let yourself go like this

growing huskier. “I told you, come back to me, and all your troubles will

a cold laugh. “That day

hand pressed her back down. Their argument was interrupted by the sound of Clara’s phone ringing. She answered it immediately, her voice transforming from icy to warm in an