No Strings Attached

When he heared the words, Edwin's dark eyes sparked with intensity. "Where is she?"

"We haven't pinned down her location yet, but we found a picture of a little girl taken by a reporter during a dance recital," came the response. "Send me the picture, now," Edwin urged. His voice was laced with impatience.

A notification from WhatsApp buzzed on his phone, and he tapped it open. His eyes were instantly blazing with a mix of shock and recognition.

The birthmark on the girl in the photo was eerily similar to the one his mother bore. It was perfectly situated on the girl's beautiful shoulder blades.

The photo captured only her silhouette. Her face was obscured, but the girl's graceful posture was undeniable - a slender waist, long legs, and the elegant curve of a neck glistening with beads of sweat.

A satisfied smile played at the corners of Edwin's lips.blf this was indeed his sister, she seemed to be living a life of grace and poise.

quickly instructed his companion to continue the search for the girl. A beacon of hope was

sorrow and reproach. "Edwin, they're all picking on me, and you won't even defend me. Not even grandma takes my side. Doesn't anyone

she wept, her eyes accidentally caught a glimpse of the photo on Edwin's phone. Her heart skipped a beat. Had her brother already found a

her tears. Pretending to have seen nothing, she clung

her inability to have children, but he rejects me and humiliates me in front of everyone? I'm so

doing? You know exactly what kind of man lan is. If it

a punctured balloon. Heidi hung her head in forlorn silence, with

I'll have someone drive you home. Don't embarrass me any further," Edwin said, unceremoniously dismissing

was still underway when lan, seizing an excuse,

Her eyes were firmly shut, but the fluttering of her lashes betrayed her pretense. Ian didn't call her out on it. His warm palm securely held her small hand, feeling the chill of her fingertips and the tremble of her