No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian) novel Chapter 263

“Sorry to rain on your parade, Grandma Rose, but Clara won’t be fulfilling that wish of yours.”

Marian immediately tugged at her clothes in disapproval, scolding, “Heidi, whatare you talking about? Today’s Grandma Rose’s birthday, for heaven’s sake. Why on earth would you say something so ominous?”

Heidi looked at her with a hint of hurt in her eyes. “Grandma, I’m not wrong, am I? Back in the day, Grandma Rose disapproved of my relationship with Ian due to my inability to have children. She wanted to preserve the Hayes family legacy. But Clara can’t have kids either, right? Surely Grandma Rose knows this?”

Her words froze Grandma Rose’s smile in an instant.

With a stern gaze, Rose rebuked Heidi. “Heidi, out of respect for the bond between your grandmother and me, I’ve let bygones be bygones. But I will not stand for you slandering Clara like this. Just because Ian chose her over you, you wish her ill? Outrageous!”

Facing Rose’s accusation, Heidi looked at Clara with an air of innocence.

“Clara, Ian loves you so much, and Grandma Rose adores you. Why would you deceive them? You know very well that your chances of conceiving are barely twenty percent. You might never carry a child. Why keep it a secret? Is your selfishness worth breaking Ian’s heart and disappointing Grandma Rose?”

She spoke as if she was the noble guardian of the Hayes family’s welfare, never letting on a hint of envy.

Clara was rendered speechless. She had planned to discuss this with Ian after his discharge from the hospital, but she hadn't expected to be rushed into meeting the family at Grandma Rose’s birthday banquet without any warning.

Caught off guard by Heidi’s revelation, Clara hesitated. Just as she was about to speak, she felt a comforting warmth wrap around her waist.