No Strings Attached

Chapter 68

Clara’s eyelids fluttered down gently as consciousness began to fade, her body sinking deeper and deeper into the abyss of darkness.

After what felt like an eternity, warmth enveloped her, and she could sense the steady rhythm of life being breathed into her underwater.

Slowly, Clara opened her eyes to lan’s chiseled features, etched with concern and fear. She didn’t even have the strength to mock herself anymore. Consciousness slipped through her fingers like sand.

lan cradled her face, tirelessly administering mouth–to–mouth resuscitation while patting her cheeks gently, but to no avail. He dragged her towards the surface, only for their legs to be ensnared by the muddy grasp below. Both of their bodies were trapped in the mud, and trying to struggle out was too difficult.

As Clara sank deeper and deeper, lan pulled her hand hard, trying to drag her out. He kept telling himself. “Clara, you can’t die on me! If you dare, I’ll drag you back from the afterlife myself.”

Just then, a lifeline appeared before him. He seized the rope and heaved, pulling Clara from the murky depths. With one arm around her and the other clutching the rope, he swam towards the shore.

Once on land, lan laid Clara down and pressed on her chest relentlessly. “Clara, wake up,” he shouted, “Clara, come back to me!”

her once more, and as his lips touched

someone suddenly shouted,

commanding, “Save her,

doctor knelt beside Clara, examining her eyes with a grave expression, “Mr. Hayes,

everything I can.”

collar, “If you can’t save her, your life is on the line too.”

Any more delays, and it might be too late.”

yet remained unconscious. lan

he stood rooted to the spot, waves

clutching his arm, tears streaming, “lan, I didn’t