No Strings Attached

Chapter 482

The couple raced to the hospital, the engine of their SUV humming steadily beneath them. Anxiety bubbled under the surface, but Ian's hand found Clara's, offering a semblance of calm in the tempest of their worries.

Lying in the ultrasound room, Clara felt the cool touch of the transducer gliding across her belly, her heartbeat quickening with each sweep. The four-dimensional ultrasound could reveal any physical anomalies in their child, and after the tumultuous events of her pregnancy, the fear of potential consequences for their baby weighed heavily on her heart. Her palms were icy, her grip on Ian's hand almost desperate.

"Ian, I'm kind of scared," she admitted, her voice quivering slightly.

Ian stroked her forehead gently, his voice a soothing balm. "Don't worry, sweetheart. Everything's going to be just fine."

He sounded confident, but his palm was damp with perspiration, his shirt sticking to his back. The odds of a birth defect during a normal pregnancy were about two percent, but Clara had been through so much more—a dunk in the ocean, a knife wound. There was no way those events hadn't left their mark. This content © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.

They exchanged a silent, knowing look. The room was enveloped in an eerie quiet, broken only by their breathing and the soft clicking of the ultrasound machine.

Finally, the doctor finished his examination and spoke, shattering the silence. Unable to contain her impatience, Clara blurted out, "Doctor, is the baby okay?"

The doctor offered a reassuring smile. "The baby's perfect, healthy as can be. You can tell this little guy's going to be quite the looker—long arms, long legs."

At those words, Clara's eyes brimmed with tears as she clutched Ian's hand. "Ian, did you hear that? Our baby's doing great!"

Ian's heart ached with love, and he wrapped her in his arms, kissing her on the top of her head. "Now you can rest easy, waiting for our son to arrive."

"But how do you know it's a boy?" Clara looked puzzled. "The doctor didn't tell you."

With a playful pinch on her nose, Ian chuckled, "Pregnancy brain must be real. The doctor said we have a handsome young man on the way. What more of a hint do you need?"

Realization dawned on Clara, and she laughed, "Honey, I'm carrying the next Hayes family heir. You've got to take good care of him."

"Of course, my love. You've worked so hard. How about we celebrate with some ice cream cake later?" Ian suggested.

"Oh yes, and I want some spicy street food from East Street, just a little bit, okay?" Clara pleaded with puppy-dog eyes.

Ian's heart melted at her gaze. "Alright, but just a little. Too much isn't good for the baby," he agreed, kissing her forehead.

The couple left the hospital with the ultrasound images in hand. As they got into their car, Ian couldn't wait to share the news with his friends, sending the pictures to a group chat along with a cheeky message.

[Whose good-looking kid is this in the womb? Oh, it's my son. No need to be jealous—just have your gifts ready.]

Roger was quick to respond. [A son, huh? Daughters are where it's at. Sons forget their parents once they find a wife, let alone their old man. Get outta here.]

Chase chimed in, [Ian, I was happy for you for a sec. Just wait till your son starts giving you the cold shoulder.]

Edwin couldn't resist adding his two cents, [Handsome? Must take after my sister. If he looked like you, even dogs would turn their noses up.]

Roger laughed, [Harsh but true. I hope the kid takes after Clara more. We don't need him inheriting his dad's bad habits.]

Chase joked, [Hey now, who's calling Ian a bad egg? At worst, he's just universally unloved.]

Watching his friends rib him, Ian wasn't upset—in fact, he was grinning. Holding Clara close, he boasted, "These old bachelors are just green with envy because I'm having a son. I'm too magnanimous to stoop to their level. Darling, don't you agree that I'm the better man?"