No Strings Attached

The sky was drizzling continuously, soaking lan's clothes through. Yet he seemed unfazed, standing quietly under the maple tree for a long time.

Clara spent the day with Sasha, which lifted her spirits considerably. After dinner, she made a call to Edwin. "Where is Mom's grave? I want to visit her."

Edwin paused for a few seconds, then replied, "You're pregnant now. The cemetery's vibe is not good for the baby. If you want to see Mom, come home. Her room is here. I'll come to pick you up shortly." "Okay, I'll wait for you."

Half an hour later, Clara followed Edwin to the Campbell family estate for the first time.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

She saw where her mom used to practice the piano and the trophies she had won. She also saw the room her mom had prepared for her. Everything spoke volumes of her mom's love for her. When she entered her mom's room and saw her photo, she softly called out, "Mom."

Just saying that made her eyes moist and her throat constrict. It took her more than ten seconds to speak again. "Mom, I'm sorry. I've fallen in love with the son of your enemy. After knowing the truth, I thought about leaving him, but I truly love him. Now I'm carrying his child. I don't want my child to grow up in a single-parent family. Mom, can you forgive me for staying with lan? It was his mom who did those things, not him. He has been trying to uncover the truth all along. He never covered for Leonora. Considering this, could you forgive him?"

Tears the size of beans fell onto May's photo frame. Edwin hugged her tightly, consoling her with a deep voice, "I think Mom would have a clear sense of right and wrong. She wouldn't blame you or lan. What she would want most is for you to find happiness."

Clara looked at him through tear-soaked eyes. "Do you really mean that?"

Edwin gently stroked her hair. "I knew about this before you two were married but didn't tell either of you. I know your dream was to marry lan, and if possible, I wouldn't want you to ever know about it. Clara, lan has done well enough. He has never been lenient with Leonora. We've all seen it. So, I think he shouldn't be implicated. We shouldn't leave him."

Hearing this, Clara, who had been holding back her emotions for days, finally broke down. She cried into Edwin's embrace. "I don't want to leave him either, but I'm afraid Mom would blame me. One is my mom, and the other is my lover. I really don't know how to choose."

Edwin gently patted her back, consoling her, "Listen, no more crying. You've cried enough these past few days, and it's not good for the baby. Let's consider this matter settled. We need to differentiate lan from Leonora. He's a victim too, isn't he?"

Clara nodded emphatically. Her voice was choked with sobs. "I need to go to the office and find him.”

Just as she and Edwin were coming downstairs, they saw lan standing by the car alone. In the gentle rain, he stood quietly in the mist. His deep eyes swirled with complex emotions.

When Clara saw him like this, her heart ached sharply. In a hoarse voice, she called out, "lan."

lan seemed to come back to life at her voice. Stepping over the puddles, he made his way towards Clara with long strides.