No Strings Attached

They persuaded Clara for a while before she agreed to be taken to the upscale private room across the hall. Clara tossed and turned in the bed, struggling to find sleep, but eventually, her eyes grew heavy with fatigue. The following morning dawned.

Eve, with Jay in tow, arrived at the hospital. Upon seeing a line of somber-clad bodyguards standing outside the room, Jay stopped, fear gripping him. He grabbed hold of Eve's arm. "You don't think they'll stop us from going in, do you?"

Eve snorted with disdain. "I'm Casey's mother. I'm here to see my son. What right do they have to stop me? If they do, I'll just sit here and cry, and we'll see who ends up being more embarrassed."

After saying that, she marched up to the door, with fire in her eyes. Just as she was about to enter, a bodyguard blocked her path. "Ma'am, you can't go in," he said firmly.

Eve's temper flared. "My son is lying in there ill, and I've come to see him. What gives you the right to keep me out?"

but Mr. Hayes has given strict orders — no visitors." He gestured politely, yet firmly,

a grin, "Gents, my uncle is seriously ill, and my grandmom has been crying all night. Look, Clara is in there. Maybe she could

and one of them said, "Wait here. I'll

gaze instantly fell on Eve, whose face was twisted in

tightly and strode towards them, her face a mask of ice. "What are you doing here? Hoping

spite. "Clara, your father is at death's door, and I'm going to get a lawyer to draft his will. All his assets will go to me - every last penny. You

mother. He's lying there sick, but all

grandma. You're showing no respect, and according to our family

even more anger. "You're the one who's disrespectful, not caring for your own son. You're the one who should be punished. When my father wakes up, I will make sure you answer for how he

out. And don't let them set foot