No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 304

Clara's eyes fluttered open to the cloak of night that had settled outside her window. Her senses were still tinged with the phantom scent of lan, his voice a lingering whisper in her mind.

She had even dreamed of their lips meeting in a tender kiss. Her longing was so intense that it conjured such vivid dreams.

The sound of firecrackers echoed from afar, followed by the brilliant dance of fireworks painting the sky. The spirit of New Year's Eve grew stronger by the minute. And with it, Clara's yearning for lan, a yearning so profound it manifested as a dull ache in her chest.

She couldn't help but place her hands on her belly, whispering a silent promise to the life within. "Baby, once you're safely here, we'll celebrate the New Year with Daddy, okay?"

As lan rounded the corner, he caught the shimmer of unshed tears in Clara's half-lit eyes. The tears amassed, eventually cascading down her cheeks.

He knelt beside her, his cool fingertips gently wiping away the moisture, his voice a soft caress of concern. "Clara, why are you crying? Have you been missing me?"

At the sound of his voice, Clara's eyes snapped open, her gaze crashing into the intense warmth of lan's own.

Her heart contracted sharply. She could barely manage a hoarse whisper, "lan."

His hand stroked her cheek as he spoke in a husky tone, "Yeah, I'm here. I've come to spend the holidays with you." Clara jolted upright on the sofa as if electrified. Staring at lan, she stammered, "You-when did you get here?"

Only then did she notice lan's coat draped over her shoulders. Had that kiss been a dream, or had it happened for real?

Reading her thoughts from the confusion in her eyes, lan chuckled softly, "I've been here for a while, been busy in the kitchen with your Dad, preparing the feast. What's with the blush? Don't tell me you were dreaming of something... naughty with me?"

"No!" Clara's denial came swiftly, too swiftly, as she feared giving anything away. Her demeanor turned frosty in an instant. "We're no longer together, lan. Besides, it's New Year's Eve. You should be with your own family, not here."

lan massaged her head gently. "Grandma Rose took the family on a trip and left me to hold down the fort. If you send me away, I'll be all alone for the holidays. Doesn't that make you feel a bit sorry for me? My family doesn't need me, and neither do you?"

"Why didn't you go with them?"

"You know how hectic it gets at the end of the year at the company. Without you, the brilliant and capable attorney, to help me, I've been swamped. I even missed lunch today. Your Dad felt sorry for me and asked me to stay and celebrate." Ian played the sympathy card like a maestro, with even his eyes pleading for compassion.

Clara's heart couldn't help but soften a little. Her eyelashes fluttered, "Stay for dinner, then leave, okay? I don't want any misunderstandings, like we've reconciled. It's the holidays. I don't want any trouble." "Clara." lan grasped her hand, his voice low and earnest. "If I promise to protect you and those around you, would you consider coming back to me?"

Clara met his gaze with clear eyes. "How can you protect me? Like a bodyguard, 24/7? Ian, have you considered the dangers I've faced these past six months? I lost our child without us even knowing, was cornered by Victoria at the company's anniversary, nearly lost my life to a strong aphrodisiac, almost got crushed by a champagne tower at a friend's wedding, and had acid thrown at me during a veterinary visit. My father was kidnapped, and Grandpa Reed died because of inflicted stress... All of this, evidence or not, seems connected to your mother and Heidi."

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