No Strings Attached

Teo gazed at Brodie, who had always epitomized calm and poise, now standing with veins throbbing on his forehead. His eyes were ablaze with undissolvable hatred.

A sharp pang went through Teo's heart. What could have possibly happened to drive him to such a state?

Teo's eyes began to sting, and his throat tightened. He couldn't even muster the courage to recognize Brodie as his own.

After what felt like an eternity, he spoke with a heavy voice, "I don't know what went down back in the day, but since it seems my actions wounded you, I'm not expecting you to make amends with me. All I'm asking is for a chance to make things right, to take good care of your mother, to help her regain her memories."

Brodie stared into Teo's eyes for a long moment before finally releasing his grip and his eyes reddened slightly. "If it turns out you're the reason my mom's hurting, I'll never forgive you!" After saying that, he turned and walked into the hospital room.

Teo watched his retreating figure and sighed softly. Pulling out his phone, he dialed a number. "Look into every woman I've come into contact with 24 years ago."

Clara had just finished her prenatal checkup and was replaying the baby's heartbeat on her phone for lan, over and over. Her face was lit up with joy and excitement. "Can you hear that? That's

anticipating the birth in a few short months, imagining

the baby takes after, they'll be ten times cuter than Roger's daughter. Sure, she's got delicate skin and big

she retorted, "If Roger heard you talking about his daughter

I dread the day he might come begging for a union with our future son. No way do I want to be

after all. The kids can grow up together. Even if they don't end up married, they could be as close as siblings like Brodie and me. Wouldn't that be

furrowed in displeasure, and he bit Clara's lip in a silent warning. "Clara, don't you dare talk about your feelings for another man in front of me. Are you

lan captured her plump lips in a fierce, retaliatory kiss. His skills were expert, and it didn't take long

this state, Clara was irresistible to lan, a man of strong appetites. His hands began to unbutton her blouse,