No Strings Attached

Clara had barely caught her breath from the shock when she heard lan call out her name. In a daze, she walked over to his bedside, gazing at him for a few seconds before saying, "My wound is fine, but you're really hurt. You need to rest up."

Without warning, lan pulled her into his embrace and ripped open her blouse. A white bandage clung to her pale back. Beneath the bandage, the outer layer of skin was damaged, and the petal birthmark had vanished without a trace.

As lan stared at Clara's wound, a numb pain spread through his heart. He knew this attack had been meant for her. Destroying the birthmark had been the perpetrator's true intention. This meant that someone besides him and Edwin knew Clara was May's daughter.

lan's cold fingertips gently brushed Clara's skin. His voice sounded husky as he asked, "Does it hurt?"

Clara shook her head slightly. "The doctor said if you hadn't rinsed it with water in time, it could have been much worse."

Her mind was still filled with the image of lan, one hand pressed against his own blood-gushing wound, the other holding a hose to wash the acid off her. The scene was so shocking it pained her heart. It sent shivers through her entire body.

As Clara lost herself in thought, lan's raspy voice cut through. "But it still breaks my heart, and I feel guilty. None of this would have happened if I hadn't left you alone."

concealed anguish. He was terrified by the thought of what could have happened if he

Clara tight, his burning lips pressing against her back. A broken

scared. Can I just hold you

didn't struggle and quietly leaned against lan. Both were

moment of tenderness, however, was short-lived. The door

white suit. She immediately laughed, covering her eyes at the sight before her. "Whoa, get a room, you two. Didn't anyone teach you to lock the door?" Their hard-won privacy was disrupted, and lan couldn't help but be

taking a hit to

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laughed and pulled her close, asking with concern, "How's your

bad. It should heal up in a few

I've already contacted a friend abroad, and she's a plastic surgeon. She

first close encounter with Greta. People said she was unapproachable and reserved. But now, she seemed

smile. "Thank you,