No Strings Attached

After several back and forths, Brodie finally rested his palm atop Clara's head and, with a smile playing on his lips, said, "No more tears now. You're a mother yourself. How come you still cry like a little girl?" Looking up at him, Clara wiped away her tears and said, "Where have you guys been all these years? Why didn't you contact me? I went to our old house every summer and winter break, waiting for you. When they tore it down, I got into a fight with the demolition crew. I told them if the house was gone, you would never be able to find your way back home."

Although a smile lingered on Brodie's lips, his eyes brimmed with tears when he heard these words. He gently tousled Clara's hair, his voice a bit hoarse, "We were being hunted. Contacting you would've put you in danger. But eventually, we found my mother's family, and we've been well these past years. We're back now to look into my mother's old case. We didn't want to cause you any trouble."

Clara sniffed and questioned, "Is that true? You're not lying to me, are you?"

"When have I ever lied to you?"

"You did when we were kids. You said you were going to the market, and then you never came back."

Brodie chuckled softly. "Still holding

was cold and deep as it pierced his eardrums. "Enough with the touching. Keep your hands to yourself." With that, he pulled Clara into his embrace, his voice tinged with a hint of jealousy. "Crying over another man like this? Your husband is still here." Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the Findɴovel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access

he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips, the gesture clearly staking his

shared a lot more

isn't that foolish.

then, Katherine's scream pierced the air from the bedroom. "Ford, Ford, stop, please!" Her voice was a mix of a growl

his arms, soothing her gently, "Mom, wake up. You're having a nightmare again,

beaded with sweat. She stared blankly at lan's familiar yet unfamiliar face and involuntarily called out,

grown close enough to