No Strings Attached

Chapter 469

Ian's face was a ghostly shade of pale as he looked at her. "Don't let her die. We need to get some answers out of her."

"I know," came the steady reply. "You take care of Clara. I'll handle everything at home."

After everyone had seen Clara, they all left, leaving only Casey, who clung to his daughter's hand, unwilling to let go. Tears welled up in his eyes as he gazed upon Clara's ghastly pale face. Heiman's words echoed in his mind.

They hadn’t completed their wedding vows today. Did that mean more dangers would lurk in their future?

Ever since Clara's birth, danger had been a relentless shadow. Why did fate have to be so cruel to such a wonderful child?

Memories of Clara's past hardships made Casey's tears fall onto the back of her hand.

Ian walked in just in time to witness the scene. He approached with measured steps and softly called out, "Casey." This is property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

Casey quickly wiped away his tears, his voice hoarse. "Ian, there's something your dad and I have kept from you."

"What is it?" Ian asked, his voice tinged with anxiety.

"We sought out Heiman on the mountain. He suggested the date and said that if you completed the wedding on that day, all would be well henceforth. Otherwise, you'd face endless troubles. Ian, Clara has suffered enough. I can't bear to see her in danger again."

Ian felt a sinking feeling in his chest but quickly reassured, "Dad, we started the ceremony at the time Heiman specified. And in the end, I did slip the ring onto her finger, holding her hand. Technically, our wedding is complete. There shouldn't be any more dangers."

Casey looked at him, half-convinced. "Really?"

"Really. The ring—I put it on using her hand while she collapsed in my arms. So, don't worry anymore. We'll be safe from now on."

In the chaos of seeing Clara hurt, he'd been frantic. He'd wanted to rush her to the hospital, but seeing her struggle to help him with the ring before losing consciousness, he'd made a split-second decision to complete the vow. Now, it seemed like the right call. Their ceremony was complete, and they were bound to face no more hardships.

Clara awoke the next morning with a piercing pain. It felt as though someone had been wiping her brow with a damp cloth and whispering to her throughout the night.

When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Ian’s haggard face. The usually immaculate man now sported a stubble, and his deep-set eyes were bloodshot with dark circles underneath.

Upon seeing her awake, Ian stopped his ministrations. His voice was rough with emotion. "Clara, does it hurt?" He tenderly kissed Clara's forehead.

Clara's pale lips moved slightly. "Ian, the ring..."

Ian immediately raised his hand to show her. "I put it on after you passed out. Mrs. Hayes, you're now my wife, fair and square—no escaping me now."

He intertwined their fingers, the silver rings glittering in the sunlight. Clara finally closed her eyes in relief. "Is the baby okay?"

"The baby's fine, strong like their mother."

With those words, Clara's tense heart finally eased. Her voice sounded weak as she said, "Ian, I know who tried to kill me."