No Strings Attached

A spreading stain of crimson suddenly marred the pristine white of the bridal gown. In a heartbeat, lan sent the waiter sprawling with a sharp kick and scooped Clara into his arms. His voice trembled as he spoke, "Clara, it'll be alright. I'm taking you to the hospital."

Clara, clutching her abdomen, fought through the agony, trying to slip her ring onto lan's finger. But her strength had long since left her, and she fainted in lan's embrace.

"I won't let anything happen to you, Clara," Ian promised, running with her in his arms.

The joy of moments before had turned into sheer panic. Marian's tears came fast and furious. "Why is life so cruel? Clara has already been through so much. Why can't she catch a break?" James, trying to comfort his mother, said firmly, "Mom, Clara's going to be okay. Eddie and I will go check on her."

"Go now, and let me know the minute you hear anything."

They drove off, chasing after lan's car.

At the hospital, Clara was rushed into the emergency room. The doctor, under lan's insistent demand, allowed him to stay. He held Clara's hand tightly, calling her name over and over.

we can't give her, and the

"Isn't

will be fine only if we proceed this way, unless you don't want the

over his body. He knew how important this child was to Clara. She would do

grappled with the impossible choice, Clara's weak voice broke through, "lan, save our

welled up in lan's eyes. He kissed her forehead gently, looking deeply into her eyes. "Clara, I'm

stomach. If it had hit my womb, there'd be no saving the baby. Darling, I want

word was clear. Ian held her hand tighter, his voice huskily whispering, "Okay, I'll be right here

over an hour. She was conscious the whole

profusely from the pain but didn't utter a scream. Even as lan wept with worry, she shook her head at him, signaling she was alright. Only when the doctor announced the surgery was a

called out in alarm, "Clara.

not large, but