No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 215

His kiss, hot and damp, grazed Clara's earlobe unintentionally - or perhaps entirely deliberately. His low chuckle hung in the air like a spell, an incantation echoing in Clara's head.

She shivered, unable to help herself. Was lan flirting with her?

Getting all hot and bothered in the vet's office - he really thought he was top dog around here.

Clara stepped back, a light smirk on her lips. "Sorry, Mr. Hayes, but you're not my cup of tea."

Her words were like a bucket of ice water doused on the flames of lan's passion. He stared at Clara's composed, serene face. His voice was laced with resignation. "So, what's your type, Clara? A gentleman o a rough man? I can be both, if it's what you're into."

Some people bend over backward for love, others play second fiddle. He was willing to change his whole persona for love, for Clara's affection.

He gazed at her, his eyes brimming with longing. He hoped to witness even the slightest flutter of her heart, but all he got was Clara's cool response.

"If it's you, I could never be interested."

After saying that, she rose without a trace of sentiment, picking up her phone to answer a call. "Mr. Brodie," she addressed the caller.

lan gritted his teeth in frustration. His gaze dropped to Snow, receiving an IV drip. "Looks like your mom's set on leaving us high and dry, kiddo. Should your old man just sweep her off her feet?" Snow, sedated, looked at him with glazed eyes, whimpering softly.

A low chuckle escaped lan's lips as he stroked Snow's head. "Cry a bit louder, kiddo. Maybe then your mom will feel sorry for you."

In the midst of her conversation with Brodie, Clara's ears caught lan's urgent call. "Clara, Snow's in pain. Please come quick!"

She hung up and dashed over, cooing softly, "Don't cry, Snow. Mommy's here, and I'm not going anywhere."

Snow licked her hand and slowly drifted off to sleep under her gentle touch.

lan saw an opportunity. "Clara, take me off your blacklist. That way, if Snow misses you, we could video chat, and he won't be so miserable."

Clara didn't hesitate, promptly removing lan from the blacklist on her phone. She didn't want Snow to feel abandoned, like an orphan with no one to turn to.

lan immediately sent her a smiley face for verification. Just then, his phone rang. The voice of Dawson came through urgently as soon as he picked up.

"Mr. Hayes, your mother's awake. You should come over."

lan hung up, stunned for a moment. Then, striding over to Clara, he said gravely, "My mother's awake. I need to see her. I'll be back."

Clara nodded faintly, watching as lan's silhouette blended into the night.

Two hours passed, but lan hadn't returned. Clara stood to visit the restroom but suddenly felt dizzy and fell to the floor.

The doctor rushed to her aid, asking with concern, "Miss, are you alright? Should I call your husband?"

Clara wanted to say he wasn't her husband, but the words wouldn't come. She was too weak to speak. Only now did she remember she'd skipped lunch because of a court session, and it was past nine in the evening. Her blood sugar was low again.

Fishing a candy bar from her bag, she sucked on it until a bit of strength returned. She asked the doctor to watch over Snow and stepped out alone to replace food.

The street was deserted, and she walked a good distance before spotting a diner.