No Strings Attached

Tears streamed down Clara's cheeks, unbidden.

This mutual love, a love that raced headlong toward each other, was something she couldn't resist.

Her resolve to leave lan crumbled in that instant. She looked up at him, her voice soft and slightly nasal. "Ian, promise me, no matter what happens, you'll always keep our child safe."

lan bent down to kiss away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "I promise you, once all of this is over, we'll leave for a place where no one can find us. Just the three of us. I'll take care of you. We'll attend prenatal yoga classes together, and we'll wait for our little one's arrival."

Clara was touched and filled with longing. It was a scene she had dreamed of for so long. She wanted to raise their child together with lan.

long-lost smile spread across her lips. "Ian." She called to

looked down tenderly. "Yeah, I'm

pressed a gentle kiss to his

think? Mrs. Hayes, shouldn't you be absolutely, positively certain about

peppered her neck, sending her senses

the time the car pulled into the Bell family estate, the desire in their eyes hadn't faded. Clara's voice was hoarse with lust. "To avoid any trouble, we'll keep our relationship under wraps for now. Once

and kissed her forehead.

car, they entered the grand

expression. Upon seeing them, he approached with a hint of desperation in his voice. "Clara, what Heidi did was wrong, and I'll compensate you for any harm she caused you and your friend. Whatever you want, just don't let her go to jail. You know, she's been coddled all her life and suffers from depression. If she stays in prison too long, I'm afraid it might kill her. Please, let

Paolo, that your daughter's life matters, but mine and my friend's do not? If my friend hadn't handled it well, others could have been hurt, innocent bystanders even. If we pardon such egregious actions, what's the