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

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

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

up wilted lilies?

them, but Chase said, why waste money on fresh flowers that cost a fortune? Better to save it for a drink, and a few lilies will do

getting

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

was reluctant to take it, but lan accepted it gracefully and handed it to her. "Take it, Clara. It's our goddaughter's way of showing her affection for her

was handing over a substantial amount to lan. Did money just blow into their house like leaves in the wind? He had worked hard for every

marital relations. He couldn't afford to slip up.