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.

heart finally eased, and a long-lost smile spread across her lips.

down tenderly. "Yeah, I'm

kiss to his lips. "I think I'm falling

be absolutely, positively

kisses peppered her neck,

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

her forehead. "I'll follow Mrs. Hayes'

they entered the grand hall only to be

sat on the sofa with a brooding 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,

warmth. "Are you suggesting, Mr. Paolo, that your daughter's life matters, but mine and my friend's do not? If my friend hadn't handled it well,