No Strings Attached

The pain was so intense that he nearly forgot how to breathe.

He furrowed his brows and looked at Katherine. His voice was as gentle as a whisper. "Don't worry. I won't let anyone hurt him."

With his assurance, Katherine slowly released her grip on his arm. Her emotions gradually stabilized.

Brodie wrapped her in his arms. His eyes swirled with an uncommon depth of feeling.

Watching the scene, lan clenched the sheets in his hands. He could almost imagine the number of times Brodie and his mother had been hunted down in the past. And the hunter, he was almost certain, was his own mother, Sierra. That was why Katherine had such a visceral reaction at the sight of her.

lan's heart gave a fierce thud.

His gaze shifted back to Brodie. His voice was a low rumble. "Should we get a therapist?"

Brodie shook his head. "No need. She's calmed down now. It's just that each episode takes a lot out of her. She'll need half a day to recover."

Clara immediately helped Katherine to the bed. "Katherine, why don't you lie down for a bit?"

the bed and

"We're all here with you. No one's going

brimmed in Katherine's eyes as she looked at Clara. "Clara, my son has suffered so much since he was small. Don't

eyes instantly reddened. She nodded vigorously. "He's my dearest brother. I'll

voice was soft as silk. "Get some sleep. I'll be

she fell

eyes were fixed on Katherine. Why did he feel this sense of

wasn't Sierra the one he

for Katherine feel like

"Clara,

got up and followed lan

was standing by the window, looking out. His tall figure seemed lonesome and tender in a way that tugged at Clara's

him and softly called out,

slightly red. "I didn't

her head. "No,

curved into a faint smile. "I'm fine. I've gotten

tell me about the times when you