No Strings Attached

Chapter 92 Clara had no choice but to comply. Her phone plummeted from the rooftop terrace, and due to the height, the sound of its impact was swallowed by the vast distance from the ground. Clara glared at her with venom in her eyes. “Happy now? Get the hell out of here!” Victoria sauntered over from the railing, sidling up beside Clara with a wicked smirk on her face. “It’s nice to have a pretty little daughter. You’re like a never–ending piggy bank. I’m off. You play nice with lan and keep raking in the dough for me.” With Victoria gone, Clara collapsed onto the concrete floor, her body shaking uncontrollably. Her mind was flooded with dreadful images and terrifying whispers in her ears, promising peace only if she ended her life. Clara knew all too well that her depression had flared up and it was bad. She needed to see a doctor immediately. As she attempted to stand and make her way out, her legs gave out, and she fell. Her knees scraped harshly against the gravel, leaving behind streaks of vibrant red. At her most vulnerable, the door to the rooftop burst open. An urgent voice called from behind. “Clara.” Suddenly, a ray of light pierced her dark world. As she lifted her head, her vision blurred with tears, and she saw Anders. Her voice was a choked whisper, “Anders.” That shattered cry clenched at Anders‘ heart, echoing the despair he’d felt when he last saw her in the hospital. He rushed to her side, lifting her from the ground with a look of deep concern. “Clara, what the hell happened?” Clara broke down, her voice frail and powerless. “Anders, I think… I think I’m having ant episode.” Anders tensed upon hearing those words, his hand gently patting her back in comfort. “Don’t be scared. I’m here. I’ll take you to the hospital right now Just then, the rooftop door swung open again. lan stood at the threshold, his face a mask of icy contempt, with Heidi close behind. Before lan could utter a word, Heidi interjected, “Ms. Clara, lan’s been looking for you. He wanted to share the first dance and announce your relationship, but here you are, having a secret rendezvous with Anders. How could you do this to lan?” After her reproach, Heidi turned to console lan, “Don’t be upset, lan. Ms. Clara’s just confused, She betrayed you, but once she gets her head straight, she’ll realize you’re the best for her and come running back. Don’t take it to heart.” 1/2 11:53 Her words solidified Clara’s betrayal in everyone’s eyes. Clara tried to speak, to explain, but she realized she had lost her voice, just like that night. In agony and weakness, she looked to lan, wanting to say, “lan, hold me,” or “lan, I’m sick. Take me to the doctor.” At that moment, Clara understood her dependence on lan; she had always seen him as her saving grace. But he was blind to her pain. His gaze was like a knife, slashing back and forth between her and Anders, while the whispers of ‘Mr. Nine‘ from her dreams seemed to taunt him. lan’s fists were clenched tight, veins bulging on the back of his hands. Clara’s heart ached at the sight, still yearning to explain. Before she could utter a word, a voice cold as ice cut through the tension. “Clara, you’ve outdone yourself!” With that, the rooftop door slammed shut before Clara could react. Watching lan’s retreating figure, her mouth opened and closed in vain. Then, her world dimmed as she slumped into Anders‘ embrace.