No Strings Attached

Leonora's tears broke through the dams of her eyes the moment she heard those words. She lamented with a face full of regret, "She must have been worried about her daughter and wanted me to watch over her to fulfill her last wish. That's why I've been so kind to Heidi all these years, treating her as if she were my own flesh and blood. How could I have known she wasn't May's child? If I'd known it was Clara, how could I possibly have stood in the way of you two?"

Her sobbing was heartfelt, her pain piercing to the core. She beat her chest in sorrow, moaning, "It's all my fault. I had no idea things would turn out like this. I've let Clara and May down. Ian, please bring Clara back. I need to apologize to her properly, to beg her forgiveness."

lan's face remained unyielding, his voice growing even colder. "You killed her grandfather Reed, and nearly killed her father. Do you really think she'll forgive you so easily?"

"What do you want me to do then? I'll do everything you said," Leonora pleaded, her face streaked with tears and her eyes shining with unprecedented sincerity.

If lan hadn't already known the kind of person she was, he might have been fooled by her performance. With a chilly sneer, he said, "Divorce Dad and leave the Hayes family."

At this demand, Leonora immediately shook her head. "My maiden family is all but gone. Where would you have me go if I left the Hayes family? lan, I am your mother. Are you really that heartless? Do you wish to see me lonely for the rest of my life?"

anticipated her refusal and thus proposed another option. "Then, from today on, move to the back of Crimson Manor, and don't you dare step foot outside." "You want to

Crimson Manor and make

seizing her arms and dragging her toward

me! I'm your mother. Have you forgotten all the good I've done for you? Your sister and your father won't forgive you for treating me like this. Ian, I really didn't know Clara was May's daughter. Won't you

she begged, lan's expression was stone cold. He had grown up with this woman as his

constantly fighting with his father and scaring him and his

her the benefit of the doubt, but his

truth was uncovered, he couldn't allow her to harm Clara any

the yard for a moment before slowly returning to the living room. He hadn't expected