No Strings Attached

Before, her big brother wasn't like this. He'd always put her needs at the top of his list. Could it be that he was still holding a grudge because she played the death card to force lan back to her side?

The thought brought a flicker of displeasure to Heidi's eyes. She couldn't afford to lose her brother, her ace in the hole to keep lan in check. So, she picked up Edwin's favorite midnight snack, a box of greasy, mouth-watering pizza slices, and headed straight over to his place.

When she arrived, she found his house eerily quiet. Edwin wasn't home. Heidi wandered restlessly from room to room, and just when boredom was about to consume her, she noticed a snowy white plush bunny sitting atop the study desk.

With a joyous squeal, she darted in and hugged the bunny, peppering it with kisses. Every ounce of annoyance evaporated like morning mist.

Her brother did care after all. She'd only mentioned in passing that she wanted that bunny, and lo and behold, he'd gotten it for her.

Clutching the bunny, she spun around in the office chair, lost in her own giddy world. That was when she noticed a sheet of drawing paper on the desk, depicting the smooth back of a girl. Even from just a silhouette, one could tell the girl had an enviable figure.

assumed it was a sketch Edwin had done out of longing for his unrequited

pink petal birthmark adorning the girl's elegant shoulder blades. Her eyes widened in surprise. If her memory served her right, Clara had the exact same birthmark

that the girl Edwin was smitten

related to Clara. Under no circumstances would she allow

upon an envelope

chair as the paternity report revealed a shocking truth: she was Paolo's daughter but had

was the

and Edwin were half-siblings, and she shared no

once wanted to marry wasn't her

that Edwin's recent aloofness

for her? Was he going to spill everything to lan? What was she supposed to do? How could she keep him tethered