No Strings Attached

"Clara, you have no idea how deep my feelings run for lan. Our engagement was set before I was even born. I grew up under his wing; we've always been close. If it weren't for your meddling, we would've been married by now."

Clara arched an eyebrow, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Really? With such profound love, shouldn't you have been his rock during his darkest times when he couldn't see? Why did you bolt faster than a frightened rabbit?"

"I had no choice. It was my father's decision."

Clara leaned nonchalantly against the doorframe, her tone sharp and piercing. "You seem to have a knack for finding ways out. If push came to shove, you could've played your last tragic card. The Campbells cherish you too much to let you go. Or couldn't you simply stomach the idea of spending her life with a 'broken' man? Your double-dealing is obvious, you know. Did you really think it would go unnoticed?" With every word Clara struck at Heidi's core, anger bubbled up inside Heidi until she felt she might spit blood in rage. Her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her gaze was venomous as she glared at Clara, wishing she could tear her apart.

Clara was a battle Heidi never won. Her teeth nearly cracked from the pressure of her biting anger. "Clara, lan is mine, forever. Don't even dream of snatching

Clara signaled behind Heidi, who spun around, her heart racing, only to meet lan's icy stare. In an instant, Heidi's fiery demeanor melted into that of a docile kitten. "Ian, does it still hurt? You

were void of warmth, his voice frighteningly cold.

massive blow to Heidi's pride. She shook her head, tears streaming. "lan, your wound is deep. You've lost a lot of blood, and you

words were a merciless

really despise me that much? Didn't you make a promise on the rooftop that day to allow

you think I care about your life or death? I only agreed to your request to save you and repay a life I owed. From that day on, we were even. I owe you nothing, and you should stop using death as a threat. If

lied, it's not true. You have me in your heart. That's why you agreed." Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early