No Strings Attached

With a sigh, he pulled out his phone from his pocket and tapped on a video.

Clara's eyes widened in disbelief as the screen came to life. There on the video were her and lan.

lan was carrying her into the bedroom, tiptoeing to lay her gently on the bed, tucking her in snugly. Just as he was about to stand up and leave, a pair of soft, delicate hands clutched his neck.

Her lips, warm and slightly damp, grazed his chest inadvertently a few times as she let out a raspy, shallow breath. "Don't go."

lan looked down at her with eyes brimming with tender emotions. It seemed as if he struggled for a few seconds, but then his large hand gently caressed her head. "Alright, I won't leave. Just sleep tight."

Clara seemed content after this. She smiled slightly, and finally nestled into a comfortable position, falling asleep in lan's arms.

could bleed. They had been apart for so

she clung to lan every night. As long as he was by her side, she could fall asleep in a second, and it was always a deep, peaceful sleep. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt

tangling her words, "I just mistook you for Snow. If I knew it was you, I'd have dodged in

hand to pinch her burning earlobe. His voice dripped with indulgence. "If being held by you every day means

stark contrast to the domineering and assertive lan she knew from before.

white dog, dashed into the room, leaping into Clara's lap with a playful whine. Clara's cool demeanor melted away at the sight of Snow. Her face instantly softened. She stroked Snow's silky coat. Her voice was light. "Someone's trying to usurp your spot in Mommy's heart. Isn't he just

seemed to understand her and looked reproachfully at lan, barking

Snow's neck and scolded with a laugh, "You're just like your mom. You both

stood up, ruffled Clara's hair, and said in a deep

thought, "No, thanks. I'm afraid you