No Strings Attached

"Ian, just you wait, at tomorrow's dinner party, I'm gonna give you a run for your money!"

The uncles and cousins of the York family who had been waiting outside all surged forward, standing by Edwin's side, giving lan odd looks.

"Eddie, don't you worry," one of the uncles boomed, slapping Edwin on the back. "If he wants to whisk away our little princess, he'll have to pass our test. Make sure there's plenty of booze for tomorrow. We're going to have a proper drink with our future son-in-law."

lan was unfazed by the challenge from the twenty-odd men. He had come prepared to stand by Clara's side.

He knew the York men were notorious for doting on the women in their family. When May passed away, her brothers were devastated. Now that they had found her daughter, it was only natural that they would shower Clara with all the love that had been pent up over the years.

reunion, in addition to recognizing her grandparents, Clara was also introduced to her grandfather's six brothers, ten uncles, and thirteen male cousins. Though only James was her blood uncle, each had brought her lavish gifts. In that moment,

of the Hayes family, but their tight-knit solidarity made them a force to be reckoned with. In this household, there were no

room, her heart a cocktail of emotions. For the first time, she was experiencing the sensation of being the center of attention. It was a treatment she had never

took out her phone and dialed his number. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the Find ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the

alone on the living room couch, sipping coffee with a pensive expression. The coffee mug was a birthday gift from Clara, one

aroma of the tea couldn't mask his

glanced at the time. Clara should be having a reunion dinner

he wallowed in his sentimentality, his phone

voice came through, "Dad, have you missed me? I've missed you