No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 297

The sudden pang in her chest made her gasp as the realization hit her. Frantically, she flipped through the calendar to last month's page.

There, on November 13th, encircled in red pen, was a mark of significance. Her periods had always been irregular, slipping her mind more often than not. Eventually, she started the habit of making a note on her calendar - a practice she maintained throughout the years.

A startling thought struck Clara like a lightning bolt. Her mind raced with the ferocity of a tempest.

She was twenty days late, which had never happened before. She always ran early, never late.

She recalled the nausea that had overwhelmed her just moments ago, her legs gave way, and she slumped onto the couch.

Right then, her phone buzzed with an incoming call from Sasha. Clara fumbled to answer, her voice still trembling with disbelief, "Hey."

Sasha, sensing the unease in her friend's voice, quickly offered words of comfort, "Clara, don't be so down. Grandpa Reed would want you to replace peace, you know?"

A few seconds passed in silence before Clara responded. "Sasha, can you do me a solid? Swing by the pharmacy at the hospital and grab a pregnancy test for me." Clara tried to steady her voice. She knew her body better than anyone else and didn't want to cause a stir without being sure.

Hearing this, Sasha's eyes widened in shock. "Clara, you don't think—"

"Just... don't, okay? I'm not sure yet. It's just a late period. Please, just get the test and keep it under wraps."

"Alright, I'm on it. Just hang tight," Sasha said before hanging up and rushing to ask for a leave from the director. "I'm feeling a bit under the weather. Could you possibly reschedule my scenes?"

The director furrowed his brow, slightly inconvenienced. "Can't you push through? We're only a few shots away from wrapping up."

Sasha put on a pained expression. "I really can't. I'm so sorry."

"Fine, I'll shoot someone else's part first. You go and take care of yourself," he relented.

Sasha thanked him, hurried off, and made her way to the hospital pharmacy, donning a mask and hat to stay incognito. "Hey there, I need a pregnancy test-the most accurate one you've got." The pharmacist handed her one with a nod. "This one's 99% accurate."

Sasha quickly paid and was about to leave when she bumped into a tall, strapping man, causing the test to drop to the floor. She barely glanced at the man as she mumbled an apology and snatched the test from the ground, making a beeline for the exit. Before she could escape, a firm grip caught her wrist.

Chase's icy voice cut through the air, "What do you need that for?" The usually carefree and reckless Chase now spoke with an uncharacteristic chill, his voice laced with barely concealed danger. Sasha shook him off and tugged her hat down, snapping back, "Mind your own business!"

She hastened away, but her urgency only fueled his suspicions. Overwhelmed by a surge of emotions, Chase quickly caught up to Sasha, scooped her up in his arms, and headed for the parking lot. "Chase, put me the hell down!" Sasha protested, struggling in his grasp.

Chase's voice was a low growl as he held her tight. "If you don't want to cause a scene, then cut the drama."

His warning silenced her. As an actress rising in fame, especially with her recent success in the charity series, she couldn't afford any scandalous headlines.

Chase gently placed her in the passenger seat. His anger didn't subside one bit as he asked, "Whose child is it?"