No Strings Attached

Chapter 84

It was her own mother, a woman she barely recognized now. This woman had wreaked havoc on her father’s life, almost driving him to bankruptcy. His heart barely survived the ordeal. She herself had been pushed to the brink, grappling with severe depression, even losing her voice.

Why, after all these years, couldn’t her mother just leave them in peace?

Tears had been Clara’s silent companion for what felt like an eternity until the persistent buzz of her cellphone in her bag broke through her sorrow. Quickly, she composed herself and answered the call.

“Clara, weren’t we supposed to go try on gala dresses? Where are you?”

Clara’s voice feigned calm. “I’m on my way, already halfway there.”

“Alright, see you at the front.”

After hanging up, Clara touched up her makeup, determined to keep lan from seeing her anguish.

Her entire body was shaking, and her hands and feet were icy to the touch, incapable of even starting the car. She felt herself sinking back into that dark abyss, and her world threatened to collapse

its meaning until a familiar voice reached her. “Clara, it’s me.

that moment than lan. Without hesitation, she flung open the car door and launched into his arms. Her tears were flowing freely before she could utter a word. Suddenly, her

“Clara, Clara!”

grew as he noted her clammy skin and pallor. Her hands were like two chunks of ice, and her body shivered uncontrollably.

head. His warm lips. kissed her forehead in a comforting rhythm. “It’s okay. We’re going home.”

the warmth of his body, Clara’s awareness slowly returned. Yet her grip on him remained unyielding. Her sobs were punctuating the air.

instructed

at home, lan tended to Clara with a gentleness that belied his usual demeanor. He bathed her, dried her hair, but throughout it all, she