No Strings Attached

Della wriggled her tiny arms and legs with unbridled excitement upon seeing Clara.

Christy chuckled, "Look at how much she adores you. She doesn't even get this worked up when she sees her daddy."

Roger, feeling a pang of jealousy, retorted, "Who says? My little girl loves me the most. She proves it every day, wetting and soiling my clothes." Their laughter and banter filled the hallway as they entered lan's hospital room. They found him alone, sitting on the balcony, enjoying a cigarette.

Clara marched up to him, snatched the cigarette from his fingers, and stubbed it out in an ashtray. She flung the window open to air out the room, her face set in a stern expression. "Doctor's orders are there for a reason, lan. If you keep this up and your wound doesn't heal, don't expect me to fuss over you."

Roger couldn't help but feel vindicated. "Exactly, let's not baby him. Some people just don't deserve the attention. No wonder he's still a bachelor, while I, on the other hand, am the model husband, always listening to my wife and never doing what she dislikes, right, honey?"

"We're here to visit the sick, not to settle

the reminder, babe. Almost forgot, this rascal nearly bit the dust. Tough as nails, though. We'll have

"Not picking up wilted lilies at the funeral home anymore? Moved on to drinking, have we? Seems

picking up wilted lilies? When have I ever not given

Roger explained, "Well, I was thinking of buying them, but Chase said, why waste money on fresh flowers that cost a

it. You're getting a budget cut

and pulled out a card from her purse, offering it to Clara. "Mr. Hayes, Clara, don't stoop to his level. This is from me and

it, Clara. It's our goddaughter's way of showing

envy. His wife gave him a generous allowance, and now she was handing over a substantial amount to lan. Did money just blow into their house like

his tongue in frustration. One more wrong word, and it wouldn't just be a cut in allowance but a halt in marital relations. He couldn't afford to slip up. With a snort of contempt, Roger taunted, "Enjoy playing the cheap godfather, spending