No Strings Attached

Following Clara closely, lan's face was a mask of concern. He rubbed her back gently as they made their way to the bathroom. He asked, "What's wrong, love? Have you been overworking yourself lately? Skipping meals? Maybe we should head to the hospital, just to be safe?"

Hunched over the toilet, Clara heaved a few times, but nothing came up. Her eyes were bloodshot from the effort. She gave her head a slight shake. "I'm okay. I just need some Pepto-Bismol, and I'll be fine." lan wasn't convinced. His large hand came to rest on her forehead, feeling for a fever. "I'm calling the doctor over. I can't relax seeing you like this."

"It's just an old stomach issue, nothing new. A bowl of hot chicken noodle soup should set me right," Clara insisted.

From the doorway, Casey appeared, drawn by the commotion. "Clara, what's all this about? You're not—"

pregnancy, but the words died in his throat. He knew his daughter's health all too well. There was little chance she'd conceive even after three months with lan, let alone a year. He didn't want to voice a possibility that

from the bathroom with a pale face, forcing a smile for her father's sake.

Come have some. Ian, could you grab the bowls and

just

plates, ladling soup, and serving with a diligence that made Clara feel

face full of guilt, his voice tinged with an unspoken sorrow. "I'm so sorry for the hurt this has caused you and Clara. It's all on me. I promise

composed and proud man sitting before him, humbly apologizing and pleading. It twisted his heart. He liked lan and believed he was the right match for

different. Clara must be blaming herself, thinking Reed could have lived longer. Your mother's words caused him pain in his final moments, and that's probably the hardest thing for Clara to bear. Give her time to process this. Your birth mother was the perpetrator, Reed was the victim, and he cherished

weight and sadness. He couldn't bear to see the young couple part. He also knew that if Clara left lan, it would break her heart. Yet, faced with family hurt, retreating was her only way to shield