No Strings Attached

Chapter 253

Clara was enveloped in a tight embrace. Ian's arms constricted around her with such fervor it left her struggling for breath. She had never seen Ian so unglued, so completely stripped of his usual poise. He was the master strategist, the king among men in her eyes, always in control no matter what the world threw at him. Yet now, he clung to her like a child gripped by fear, begging for promises.

Clara was at a loss. Whatever was gnawing at Ian's nerves was beyond her knowledge. She reached out, her delicate fingers brushing his hair, her voice a soothing whisper. "Okay, I'm not going anywhere."

The moment he had risked his life to save her father, she had made up her mind. Clara knew that she and Ian were inseparable, now and forever.

Her resolve shone in her eyes. The soft cadence of her reassurances seemed to break down his defenses, and in a moment of raw emotion, Ian pulled her close. He lowered his head and claimed her lips in a kiss that was as fierce as it was impatient—as if he was trying to consume her, to make her a part of him.

The kiss was possessive and urgent, leaving Clara gasping for air. She felt Ian's passion, wild and relentless, as he pressed his lips to hers over and over, each caress a silent promise and a poignant goodbye.

They were lost in the moment until a knock on the door echoed through the room. Clara, her cheeks flushed, extricated herself from Ian's embrace to answer it.

Edwin stood at the threshold, holding a bag filled with what looked like takeout. His gaze briefly faltered upon seeing Clara, but he quickly recovered with a smile. "Just checking in on Ian, heard he woke up."

"Come in, Edwin," Clara said with a nod. Her feelings towards Edwin were cool, tinted by her dislike of Heidi's antics. She led him into the room and excused herself, leaving the two men alone.

Edwin couldn't help but watch her leave. He was lost in thought until Ian's gruff voice snapped him back to reality. "Keep staring, and I'll gouge your eyes out!" Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

A low chuckle escaped Edwin's lips. "So, you guys made up then?"

Ian, now lounging on the couch with a smug grin, replied, "Yeah, get your wedding toast ready."

Surprised, Edwin raised an eyebrow. "That was quick. You sure it's not a shotgun situation?"

Ian's voice carried a note of defiance. "I've earned this. If it weren't for Heidi's meddling, I'd be a father by now."

Mentioning the past cast a shadow over Edwin's face. "Ian, my family's actions—I was clueless. I can't ask for forgiveness, but I need you to know, they are them, and I am me. Let's not let their deeds taint our brotherhood."

Ian took the breakfast sandwich from Edwin's offering, a peace offering of sorts. "Fine. You made me breakfast, so I'll let it slide. How's the investigation into Aunt May's case going?"

Edwin shook his head. "The truck driver was just a drunk. He did time, and now he's out. No strange contacts or sudden wealth."

As Ian heard this, his gaze sharpened. The accident was eerily similar to the one that had saved Grandma Rose and even the death of their nanny. All drunk drivers, all dead ends. It was too much of a coincidence. There had to be a missing link somewhere.

Ian had a nagging suspicion that his mother, Leonora, was at the heart of it all.

Lost in thought, Ian barely noticed as Edwin produced a diamond necklace—the one his mother had clutched in her dying moments, surely a clue to a mystery unsolved.

Ian took the necklace, and childhood memories flooded his mind, his fingers curling instinctively around the cold metal.