No Strings Attached

Clara knew the woman before her was Heidi's grandmother, and she had every reason to harbor a less-than-favorable impression of her.

Yet why, when she saw the tears streaming down the elderly woman's face, did it tug at her heartstrings?

She approached and took hold of Marian's arm, her voice gentle. "Marian, it's Clara."

At these words, Marian wiped away her tears with a touch of disappointment. Choking with emotion, she clutched Clara's hand. "Why isn't it my May? When May played that tune, she sounded just like you. You and her "

But before she could finish, Heidi interrupted, wrapping her arms around Marian's shoulders, her face etched with sorrow. "Grandma, are you missing mom? I miss her so much, too. How about I take you to see her tomorrow? Would that be okay?"

The sight of Heidi's tears stopped Marian from completing her thought. She couldn't understand why she saw her daughter's shadow in Clara. Every smile, every gesture was so reminiscent of her own child. How could they really be unrelated? Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

this tender scene, his gaze landing on Clara. He

mistake her for May, too? Was it longing, or did Clara truly bear a

such force that he found himself instinctively clenching his

a sheer back, through which one could glimpse Clara's graceful shoulder

of a petal that would confirm his suspicions. To his dismay, Clara's back was flawless, devoid of

slowly relaxed, the flicker of hope in his heart extinguishing as quickly as it had

began, and as hosts, lan and Teo went around with their glasses, toasting the guests. Clara stayed close to Rose and Marian. Both grandmas argued over who would serve

table, grit her teeth in frustration. Why did Clara get to sit at the main

beloved grandmother, Marian, seemed to be more interested in Clara than her. Was blood truly thicker than water? Could her twenty-plus years with her grandmother mean less than

over Heidi's eyes. But she quickly masked her emotions, painting a light smile on her lips as she approached Rose with her

lady of the hour. May