No Strings Attached

Chapter 28

Clara never imagined that what she considered her most precious feelings would be seen by lan as nothing more than a frivolous fling, a game where the heart had no stake.

She walked under the maple, her gaze lifting to the leafy canopy above. Every sweet memory they’d shared here ncw felt like a knife twisting in her gut.

She couldn’t bear the pain any longer; she wanted to forget everything about this place.

Clara slipped two rings off her neck, her tears scalding hot as they fell upon them. A bitter laugh escaped her.

She squatted down and dug a small hole beneath the maple, burying the rings within. Staring at the still rings in the dirt, marked with the engraving of two heartbeats, Clara’s shoulders shook uncontrollably as she sobbed.

After several relentless days at the hospital and the office, Clara’s father’s condition had finally stabilized, and the company was back on track.

She planned to catch up with Anders and Sasha that evening, but no sooner had she driven a short distance from her place, she spotted an elder woman staggering toward her car.

car screeched to a halt, and the elder woman

that

phone to call the police, she saw the woman moaning

out of the car, Clara crouched beside the woman with concern. “Are you alright? Do you need an ambulance?”

sat up, looking at her warily, silent

bystander advised, “Miss, leave it be. It’s probably a con. Your car didn’t even touch her.

got proof. I should just get her to a

check–up. It turned out to be nothing more than a

soothing her gently. “You’re okay now. Can you tell me how to reach your

voice. “Yong lady, you’ve gone through so much trouble