No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 228

As Clara walked away from the doorway, the sight of May's torn poster caused an unexpected pang in her heart. She stood before the ruined poster, gazing at the poised and graceful May, and a wave of guilt washed over her.

She hadn't intended to tarnish May's reputation in her quest to deal with Heidi.

May, an artist renowned in her day, was the epitome of gentleness and humility, sophisticated and modest. How could she have birthed a daughter as sly and cruel as Heidi?

With care, Clara pieced the shredded poster back together, looking into May's smiling eyes as she whispered a soft, "I'm sorry." Then she turned and walked away.

She hadn't gotten far when her cell phone began to ring. It was a call from lan. As soon as she answered, a voice tinged with a touch of vulnerability came through. "Attorney Clara, did you forget there's a man waiting for you to come home for dinner?"

His voice was raspy and faintly whiny, sending a shiver down Clara's spine. She had never noticed this delicate side of lan before.

Hesitating, she replied, "I've got plans tonight, so I won't make it. You'll have to eat alone."

She was about to hang up when lan's voice, now firm, called out to her. "Clara, I took a tumble down the stairs earlier and aggravated my wound. It's bleeding a bit. Could you come over and help me bandage it up again?"

His tone was earnest, soothing. There was no hint of guile to be heard.

Clara's voice immediately tightened with concern. "Didn't I tell you to stay in bed? Why won't you listen?"

"I'm sorry, Clara. I just got worried when you didn't come home, so I thought I'd come down to meet you."

"Wait for me. I'll be right there."

After hanging up, a smug smile crossed lan's face. Roger's advice was spot on. Playing the weakling certainly had its uses.

While hospitalized, his feigned frailty kept Clara by his side every night, speaking softly to him.

Once discharged, he played the pitiable card that his family had deserted him, and there was no one to look after him, convincing Clara to move back in. Sure, she took the guest room, but at least she was within sight every evening.

lan glanced at the wound on his belly and clenched his teeth. He made his way to the top of the stairs, and deliberately threw himself down. This was the price for keeping his girl close.

When Clara arrived, lan was lying weakly on the couch, fresh blood seeping from his wound, his arm and thigh sporting several bruises.

Clara gritted her teeth in anger. "lan, what are you doing?"

But lan shook his head with sincerity. "Clara, it wasn't on purpose. I was just too worried about you and wanted to wait for you downstairs. Just seeing the headlights meant you were back, and I could rest easy."

He was telling the truth. Since leaving the hospital, he had spent every evening waiting by the window. He was always waiting for that beam of light and that familiar figure to approach. It was happiness he'd never known before.

Had Clara also awaited his return like this? No wonder she'd always thrown herself into his arms the moment he arrived. Now, he understood the joy of waiting for someone.

Back then, he'd been so oblivious to it.

Hearing the honesty in his voice, Clara couldn't bring herself to scold him any longer. She fetched the first aid kit and started to re-dress his wounds.

Just then, Clara's phone rang with an unknown number. Assuming it was a client, she answered without hesitation.

A cold male voice came through. "Clara, it's Paolo. We need to talk."