No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian) novel Chapter 447

Hearing his daughter’s voice, Roger, who had been energetically sparring with Ian, instantly dropped his guard and turned towards Della in astonishment. “Hey, Ian, did you hear that? My little girl just called me ‘Papa.’ Which kid can talk at six months, huh? You must be green with envy.”

He released Ian’s shirt collar and sprinted over to Della. With a broad grin, he cooed, “Sweetheart, what did you just say? Can you say it again for Daddy?”

Della immediately leaped into Roger’s arms, smearing tears and snot all over his designer shirt and leaving streaks behind. Her shining eyes blinked up at Roger as she repeated, “Papa, Papa.”

Hearing his daughter call him “Papa” again, Roger lifted her high above his head in excitement. He boasted, “Come on, look at this. Whose little princess is this pretty and smart, talking so young? Naturally, she’s Roger’s girl. You all must be so jealous.”

Christy rolled her eyes at his exuberance. “Stop making a scene, Roger. You’re acting like you’ve never seen a kid before.”

“Am I making a scene? No, the joke’s on these guys. We grew up together, and I was the first to get hitched and the first to have a kid. Ian has always been one step ahead of us in everything, but not this time. Hahaha, I finally beat him at something. My daughter’s calling me ‘Papa,’ but his kid’s still in the womb. That’s the difference right there. And let’s not forget about those two bachelors, pushing thirty with no wives in sight. I’ve been enjoying the warmth of my family for years. How can I not be happy?”

He ran around the lawn with his daughter in his arms, Della’s giggles filling the air.

Chase couldn’t help but shake his head. “Is Roger out of his mind? As if having a wife is some kind of trophy. If I hadn’t called off my engagement, I’d have a son in my arms too. I’m just looking for true love. That’s all.”

Edwin gave him a knowing look. “Regretting the canceled engagement, are you?”

“No way! You have no idea. That girl would just nag all day long. If I brought her home, I’d never have a moment of peace.”