No Strings Attached

Christy glanced toward Clara's stomach and lowered her voice with a conspiratorial wink. "You're dressed down today, more than usual. Is there, by any chance, a little bun in the oven?"

Clara's eyes brimmed with unshed tears, a tender smile tugging at her lips as she gave a subtle nod.

Christy's jaw dropped in excitement. "For real? Does Mr. Hayes know yet?"

"I haven't told him."

"Is it that you haven't told him, or you don't want to tell him? Are you taking the split seriously? You don't know this, but Roger didn't come home the night you and lan broke up. He said lan got totally plastered. He's never seen lan take it so hard."

Clara felt a sting in her heart at those words. How could she not know how much lan was hurting?

Every night after work, he'd be lingering outside her place. Sometimes, he'd get in the house, chat with her dad, and check on her. Other times, when he was too late for visits, he'd just stand at her door, smoking alone.

many times to dash outside and throw herself into his arms, to tell him, "Ian, let's

voice was hoarse with emotion as she looked down. "I can't risk it anymore. I need to protect my child and my

from back in the day-you can have it." While Christy played with Della, she filled Clara in on all the pregnancy dos

lan. [Your ex-fiancée's at my place. Want me to stage a 'casual'

grin was all smugness. [Heard you nabbed a fine bottle of wine at the

teeth. [Taking advantage

you a leg

[Be there soon.]

hour later, Clara carried Della and descended the stairs to play. As she stepped into the living room, she was greeted by a tall, commanding

with a softer smile than usual, approached

seemed less interested in the doll and more fascinated by

showers her with