No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian) novel Chapter 237

"Ian, if you don't show, you better be ready to pick up my pieces! I promised May I'd look after Heidi. I can't just let her die."

Leonora's voice was edged with desperation as she grabbed the paring knife beside her, pressing it to her throat.

Kayla lunged forward, shouting into her phone, "Ian, your mother's threatening to off herself. You know how she gets. Get over here, now!"

Ian felt a pulse of anger, veins throbbing at his temples. He couldn't fathom why his mom would bend over backward for Heidi. Her reputation was as shot as yesterday's news, and she still thought she could marry Ian off to her. Did she really want her son to be a laughingstock?

Inside, Ian was a tempest, his voice colder than a glacier, "I'm on my way!" He hung up abruptly, vision tinged with red as he glanced toward the kitchen.

Clara was rinsing veggies, her expression unreadable. She couldn't have missed the conversation.

Ian strode into the kitchen, wrapping his arms around her from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder, his voice a husky whisper. "Clara, wait for me to come back for dinner. I'll set things straight with her."

Clara didn't struggle but offered a light smile, "Go. It's a matter of life and death, not to be taken lightly."

Ian’s mind raced back to the night Clara was hemorrhaging and how she'd called him for help, only to be dismissed with 'Heidi's life is on the line, stop making a scene.'

How heartbroken she must have been. Ian felt an aching swarm of regret.

Heidi had always been a barrier between him and Clara, one she couldn't cross. He had to resolve this once and for all, or Clara would never come back to him.