No Strings Attached

Anders felt a sting in his chest. In his mind, Elle was always the pampered princess. Once upon a time, a mere paper cut would bring her to tears. But now, facing such a grievous injury, she was unbelievably composed.

What on earth had she gone through in the past three years, caring for Orin all by herself?

Anders extended his arm, bringing it close to Elle's mouth. His voice was slightly hoarse. "If it's too much to bear, you can bite down on my arm."

Elle shook her head gently. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

She said that, but when the doctor set her bone, she was sweating bullets, and her teeth were grinding as if they might shatter. Her hands clutched Anders' arm so tightly that her nails dug into his flesh. Yet even so, she did not utter a single cry of pain.

As they placed the splint, the doctor couldn't stop praising her. "You're the strongest mother I've ever seen. Many men couldn't endure this pain."

the other wrapped in gauze. Her voice was frail. "Doctor, how soon can I

one, however, needs at least two weeks. During this time, you absolutely cannot get them

"Could I wrap them in plastic wrap

watched her with a chuckle. "Why push yourself? You've got your husband. Don't you? If you don't rely on him now,

and Anders were nothing to each other, but the words died on her lips, and she didn't know how to begin. Her gaze dropped, and her complexion was ashen. Anders, seeing her pale face, felt a pang of sympathy. He bent down to embrace Elle. His eyes were tender. "I'm here for you. I'll help you with your

you've suffered." Elle's lips, pale as death, curved ever so slightly. "I'm okay, and the baby is fine, ma'am. Please don't worry." S~ᴇaʀᴄh the

who was not living up to expectations, and instructed, "Take good care of Elle. If anything else happens to

"Don't worry. I'm taking a few days off work to stay with her and

"That's more like it!"

the sight of Elle's wounds. "The driver's been arrested. This is my fault. He was a criminal I sentenced back in my court days, just released and set on revenge. Elle,