No Strings Attached

Chapter 452

Clara walked slowly up to the portrait of her late mother, May. Her slender fingers caressed the image of her mother's cheek, her voice slightly hoarse. "Mom, it's me, Clara, the daughter you risked your own life to save. I'm here now."

At these words, tears that Marian had been holding back broke free, streaming down her cheeks.

"May," Marian said through her tears, "it must have been your guiding spirit that led us to find Clara. Rest assured, from now on, we will take good care of her. Rest in peace."

She handed Clara a flower, her voice choked with emotion. "Clara, give this for your mom and pay your respects. May she watch over you and your child and keep you both safe."

Clara took the flower, and bowed several times in front of the portrait.

With a solemn face, Ian addressed the portrait. "May, thank you for trusting me with Clara before she was even born. We're now lawfully wed, and she carries the future of the Hayes family. I promise to treat her well for all my days. Rest easy."

He took out a ruby necklace from his pocket and placed it around Clara's neck. "Clara," he said in a deep voice, "this was the token of my commitment to you. Now, in front of May, I fulfill her last wish by giving it to you."

He kissed her forehead, solemnly vowing, "I will love you for a lifetime." This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

Marian was moved to see her daughter's wishes fulfilled, and the evident love between the young couple. She wiped away a tear. "I'm sure your mother's spirit is overjoyed and at peace. Once your wedding is complete, this matter will come full circle."

Helping Clara to her feet, Ian spoke humbly. "I've come to discuss the wedding plans with you. Both my father and Joe have no objections. They've said the date is up to you, and they will follow your

lead."

The mention of the wedding immediately energized Marian. "The sooner, the better. Clara is showing more each day, and we wouldn't want her struggling in her wedding dress. As for the date, let your Casey choose. He raised Clara from a child; it's only right he has a say."

"Okay, I'll have him set a date soon, and I'll take care of the rest."

As they conversed, they descended from the small building just in time to see Edwin arriving, looking utterly disheveled and irate.

"Eddie, why are you so late? You've arrived even after Clara and Ian, not setting much of an example as a brother," Marian chided.

Edwin shot Ian a cold stare and grumbled, "You might want to ask this guy here. He promised to let me come with them, but he gave me a time that was a full hour after the plane had taken off. I had to buy a new ticket at the airport and come on my own."

Ian replied with an unconcerned smirk. "Today is Clara's family reunion, and everything was set up for her. You shouldn't steal your sister's thunder."

"That's nonsense! If I can't enjoy that privilege, what makes you think you can? Don't forget. I'm her flesh and blood brother!"

"And I'm her husband. It's only right I support her."

Ian's response was confident, and he even gave Edwin a pat on the shoulder, whispering with a chuckle, "I was afraid you'd be jealous, so I didn't dare let you follow. You should have seen the scene earlier. It was spectacular. The uncles were all beaming with pride when they saw Clara."