No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian) novel Chapter 173

Chapter 173 

Clara was standing in the living room, but she could still hear the doctor’s words. She knew all too well what he meant by “not bounce 

back.” 

Her hands were clenched tightly around the hem of her shirt. Her heart skipped a beat. The next second, she heard the doctor calling her in, handing her two boxes of ointment and saying, “Apply this morning, noon, and night. Keep the area dry for the next few days, and once the wound is fully healed, we can check the functionality. I suspect that’s when we’ll need your cooperation.” 

Clara was taken aback, “Cooperate how?” 

The doctor chuckled, “Well, of course, by helping his little soldier stand at attention again. You’re his girlfriend. Who else is he going to turn to for help, some other woman?” 

“I’m not his girlfriend,” Clara immediately denied. 

The doctor didn’t seem to care about her protest, instead he imparted his advice with earnest, “Every couple has their spats, but it’s making up that counts. If you don’t help him recover, you’re the one who’s going to suffer later on,” 

Without waiting for Clara’s reaction, he grabbed his medical bag and hurried out the door. 

Clara stood there, dumbfounded, the tubes of ointment in her hands feeling like hot potatoes–she couldn’t just toss them aside, yet holding onto them felt all kinds of wrong. 

lan lay in bed, his face contorted in pain, but he managed to say with a hint of wit, “Hand me the ointment. I can manage myself.” 

Clara passed it to him quickly and then, her cheeks flushed. Til be outside. Call if you need me.” 

lan was in real pain, especially because the wound was in such a sensitive area. Each dab of ointment made his brows furrow in agony. By the time he was done, his forehead was covered in a sheen of sweat. 

Bare–chested and with a towel wrapped around his waist, he sat on the bed, his voice weak, “Clara, you can come in now.” 

Upon hearing his voice, Clara stepped inside and found lan in such a vulnerable state. Her brow furrowed, “How are you feeling?” 

lan, enduring the pain, shook his head, “It’s nothing. Don’t mind the doctor’s nonsense. It’s not that serious. Even if I did end up underperforming, I wouldn’t blame you.” 

His reasonable tone took Clara by surprise, and just as she was about to respond, lan’s voice filled her ears again. Tm afraid I can’t make it back home tonight. Mind if I crash here?” 

His request was polite and distant, showing no intention of taking advantage. He thought that Clara wouldn’t suspect any foul play and would let him stay the night. But the next thing he heard was Clare saying, “You rest up in this room; I’ll book another one.” 

With that, she grabbed her phone and left without looking back, leaving lan sitting on the bed alone. The physical pain compounded by a fresh emotional wound kept him awake late into the night. 

The next morning, lan’s walk was slightly different due to the ache in certain areas. Dawson looked at hirm quizzically, “Mr. Hayes, did you spend last night with Attorney Clara?” 

lan, already in a bad mood, felt a sting at the question. Not only had he not spent the night with Clara, but his plan had completely backfired, and she hadn’t stayed. 

His cold gaze fell on Dawson, “Are you mocking me?”