No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 368

Clara was baffled.

How on earth did Victoria know Marian? Besides, Victoria couldn't stand sweets, and she was even allergic to sugary stuff. So why would she be fond of Marian's pecan sandies?

The conversation between the two women left everyone around them gobsmacked. Edwin immediately stepped forward, taking Marian by the hand. "Grandma, you're mistaken again. This is Clara, not your granddaughter."

It was then that Marian realized she had spoken out of turn. Tears brimming in her eyes, she looked at Clara. "Ever since Heidi's incident, I've been so unwell. When I got better, I started mixing people up, sometimes I even mistake Elle for May. Clara, don't hold it against me for being muddled, will you?"

Upon hearing this, a shard of sorrow pierced Clara's heart. Marian's predicament resonated with her deeply. To be hit with the painful realization that the granddaughter she had cherished and adored for over twenty years was so ungrateful, and that Heidi's own mother might be the one accountable for her daughter's downfall was an unbearable burden.

Clara's lips curved into a gentle smile, and she shook her head slightly. "It's okay. You just need to take care of yourself."

Seeing that Clara did not suspect anything, Marian finally relaxed. With a hint of redness in her eyes, she held Clara's hand. "Clara, my dear girl. Would you let your grandma dote on you from now on?" Confronted with Marian's heartfelt gaze, Clara couldn't bring herself to refuse. If this could ease Marian's illness, she shouldn't turn her away. She smiled and nodded, "I've never had a grandmother, and Grandma Eve was never fond of me. I've never known what it's like to be the apple of a grandparent's eye. If you'd like to have me, I'd be blessed."

At Clara's words, Marian's restrained tears finally broke free. Her heart ached for Clara's lifelong struggles, for Clara's separation from her kin. The girl who should have been cherished like a princess was instead neglected by Victoria and treated as an outsider by the Bell family.

Marian pulled Clara into a hug, her large hands gently stroking her head. With a choked voice, she said, "From now on, you've got me to love you and nothing to fear. Once you've had the baby, I'll take you back to the York family and treat you like my very own granddaughter."

Edwin was also moved by the scene, longing to embrace his sister just like his grandma. Just as he was about to step closer, lan grabbed him by the collar. Ian's eyes were cold as ice, and he warned, "Don't come any closer."

"I just want to speak to Clara."

"Not happening. My wife needs her rest."

Edwin, fuming, bit down on his teeth. "Ian, I'm just going to talk. What kind of man are you? Watch it, or one day I'll—"

He wanted to say, watch it, or one day I won't let you marry Clara but the words were swallowed back down. He would hold his tongue for his sister's sake and for the child she was carrying.

Pointing a finger at lan's nose, he said, "You just wait, buddy. There will come a day when you'll get what's coming to you."

lan looked on, unbothered. "Well? Clara will be mine, and our kid will call me Dad. It will be three against one. Think you can beat me?" lan's face was smug with triumph.

Fuming, Edwin clenched his fist, then leaned in to whisper, "I'll let you strut around for a few more months. Once the baby is born, we'll establish our kinship with Clara. Then her real family will decide on this marriage."

lan let out a soft laugh. "Sure, you can try to claim kinship, but you'd better keep your deadbeat dad in line, or I won't let Clara come back."

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