No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian) novel Chapter 461

Clara's gaze lingered on the final entry of the diary, which bore a date that coincided with the eve of her mother's tragic accident. Her mother had been so full of hope for her arrival, yet fate cruelly snatched her life away before Clara had even taken her first breath.

Now pregnant herself, Clara could intimately relate to the cocktail of emotions that must have swirled within her mother. The thought sent a spasm of pain through her heart, and tears made their silent escape down her cheeks.

Ian walked in just in time to witness her sorrow. He quickly wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, his voice a soothing baritone. "Missing your mom?"

Clara sniffled, "This... this is the first time I've really felt my mother's love. She loved me so much and did so much for me. Why did fate have to take her? Why tear us apart? I so hate the person responsible for her death. If I ever find out who it was, I'll never forgive them."

Ian felt a sudden weight in his chest at her words and instinctively tightened his embrace. Though no evidence had surfaced to implicate Leonora in the incident, Clara's words still set off an inexplicable alarm inside him.

He kissed the tip of Clara's ear gently, his voice deep and imploring, "Clara, no matter what happens in the future, don't you ever leave me. Please, can you promise me that?"

Clara turned around, puzzled, "What are you talking about? You're the father of our child. Why would I leave you? The three of us have so many dreams to fulfill."

She tiptoed to plant a kiss on Ian's chin, smiling, "You're the man Mom chose for me. I trust her judgment. Honey, I'll always love you."

Ian saw the sincerity in her tearful eyes and felt the warmth in her gaze. His earlier worries melted in his heart, which was filled with sweetness from the inside out.

He gently lifted her chin, nuzzling her cheek with his nose, his voice husky with emotion. "Babe, I will always love you, too."