No Strings Attached

"So what if you assigned me a bodyguard? I still got drugged and knocked out cold, lan." Clara's voice trembled as she faced him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Look, I'm not unreasonable, but these dangers are getting to me. They scare me to my core."

"As long as I'm with you, the danger never stops. And to protect myself and my family, I have to walk away. I'm begging you, please, just... stay away from me, okay?"

She had made up her mind to leave him, to keep the existence of their child a secret. There was no turning back now, not when so much was at stake.

"It doesn't matter if I get hurt, but our child... is so little, so fragile. A single fall could be the end. I can't take that risk," she thought.

lan's heart ached at the sight of Clara so fraught with fear. He reached out and gently stroked her hair. His voice dropped to a husky whisper, "There's no way Heidi and Leonora could pull off something this covert on their own. There's got to be a bigger fish behind them. When I catch whoever it is, you'll be safe. Clara, there are things I can't explain right now, but trust me, you're in more danger away from me than by my side."

incident had been executed flawlessly, leaving no trace for the authorities

busy chasing your wife." Chase sauntered in, his eyes crinkling with a knowing smile as he held a gift box. Ian shot

is only half complete. Don't preach to

matter of a stamp, which I could get with a single phone call.

see if she follows you? Your messes aren't any

of casual defiance in his grey coat.

at her playfully. "Grandpa kicked me out. Just here to scrounge

not full of guests for the holiday. Casey couldn't help but beam with joy. "Of course not! When you're here, you're a guest. Come help out, and then we'll

"Right on, I'm in."