No Strings Attached

lan seemed to think otherwise. He grasped Clara's chin firmly, his voice growing colder by the second. "Clara, can you really bring yourself to leave me here all alone? Have you thought about what I'll do after you go? Have you forgotten your promise that we'd stick together through thick and thin?"

The more he spoke, the more his heart ached. His eyes reddened with the effort to hold back tears. A mist of emotion clouded his eyes.

He bowed his head, his voice a low whisper. "Clara, please don't leave me, okay?"

He didn't wait for her to respond, capturing her soft lips in a kiss that was both aggressive and vengeful. The kiss left Clara gasping for air, nearly drowning in the intensity of his embrace.

lan gave her a moment to breathe, only to unexpectedly pry her lips apart and invade deeper into her mouth.

Clara was kissed senseless. Her body went limp with a mixture of weakness and desire. A soft moan escaped her throat involuntarily. "Ian."

response. His kiss became even

with red as she faced him. "Ian, stop being unreasonable, will

eyes, and reached out to gently caress the reddened corner. His voice was hoarse but imposing. "Clara, don't you dare sneak

words, he bit down on

she pounded on his chest. "You're

leave, I'll be even crazier. Don't believe me?

was off with them. They must be hiding something from

"Check if Clara and Casey have booked any international flights lately. I need the information

to go downstairs for dinner. As she turned, her eyes couldn't help but well up. Her hands rested gently on her belly as she silently whispered to herself. "Baby, let's have dinner with

and it lasted a long time. After everything, lan looked at Clara somewhat reluctantly. "There's a festival tomorrow at Northbridge

refuse but agreed readily. "Sure. It's late. You should head