No Strings Attached

This was an unfamiliar number from overseas, but Edwin would recognize it anywhere.

His eyes snapped up, locking onto Clara's. His voice trembled slightly. "She's fine, how are you?"

lan's voice was laced with unbearable pain. "Give the phone to her."

Edwin promptly moved beside Clara, bending down gently. "It's lan, he's alright."

Upon hearing this, Clara's gaze momentarily froze. It took her a good ten seconds to process Edwin's words. She snatched the phone from Edwin's hand and spoke in a quivering voice, "lan?" As she called out his name, tears began to cascade down her cheeks.

lan closed his eyes in anguish. "Clara, I'm okay. We're on lockdown here, but I'll be back in a few days. Has Elude arrived?"

"He's here. Dad's surgery was a success," Clara managed to say through sobs.

"That's great. I didn't break my promise to you, Clara. Have you been eating and sleeping properly?"

had a bowl of beef stew and half a dozen dinner

lan soothed, "Clara, stop crying. Take care of yourself and the baby. Wait for me to come back, okay?" Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the ꜰindNʘvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ

We'll wait

borrowed this phone,

the call. The strength he'd been holding on to suddenly deflated. The phone slipped from his grasp, and his

check out, I'll have your son call

respond to Ryker's threat. The light in his consciousness dimmed until darkness

"lan, wake up!"

Clara and the kid? Come on, wake

trying to rouse him, but despite turning red from the

conflict zone. Ian couldn't help himself and ran back to save them,

lan found a phone on an enemy officer and called Clara. He just wanted to know she was okay and

He needs surgery now, but the risk of infection is high here." Ryker