No Strings Attached

Chapter 66

Clara’s eyes brimmed with tears as she recalled the recent past. Perched on the edge of the bed, she clasped her baby’s tiny hand, gazing at her with unabating focus. So engrossed was she that she didn’t even notice when someone entered the room.

Heidi glanced at the child, then at Clara, and said with a smile, “Isn’t the little one just adorable? You must be very fond of children, aren’t you, Ms. Clara?”

Without even lifting her head, Clara replied coolly, “Whether I like them or not is none of your concern.”

“Now, why would you say that? After all, you’re carrying a child you’ll eventually be handing over to me. You are the birth mother, but I’m going to be her adoptive mother her only legal mother. Are you not aware of that, Ms. Clara?”

Stunned, Clara looked up, her gaze icy. “What do you mean?” © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Heidi’s smile was radiant. “Haven’t you ever wondered why lan would have you bear his child if he doesn’t love you? It’s because a few years ago, I was injured while saving him, which left me unable to conceive. Grandma Rose was against us being together because of this, but lan wanted to marry me and also didn’t want the Hayes family line to end. So, he came up with this surrogacy plan. Once you’ve given birth, the child stays, and I become her only legal mother. You’ll never get to acknowledge your child as your own. Tell me, Ms. Clara, how does it feel to watch your own flesh and blood call someone else “Mommy“?”

Clara was shocked to her core. All her doubts were suddenly dispelled. lan’s ruthlessness was crystal clear he had devised this surrogacy scheme, using her as a vessel to

–

continue the Hayes family legacy, having her child call someone else ‘Mommy‘.

To hell with all of them!

Clara didn’t want to lose her composure in someone else’s home, but this news was like a bomb exploding in her head, leaving her mentally battered and bleeding. She stood up from the chair, her eyes fierce as she glared at Heidi. “My child will never call you ‘Mommy‘. Dream on!”

With those words, she marched toward the exit.

Never had she felt such hatred towards lan. She wished she could take a knife and end

him.

Stumbling down the stairs, Clara barely made it outside when she bumped into a broad chest. Without looking up, she muttered an apology and attempted to leave.

However, her wrist was caught in a firm grip, and a familiar voice whispered, “What happened?”

Clara’s head snapped up, and she found herself locked in lan’s dark, unfathomable eyes Their gazes clashed, and lan’s eyes darkened as he noticed Clara’s reddened eyes. His heart clenched suddenly.

He reached out, touching her forehead, and his voice deep with concern, “You look awful. Are you feeling alright?”

Clara shoved him away, her eyes cold. “Thanks for your concern, Mr. Hayes, but I won’t die

on you.”

Turning to leave, she was unexpectedly pulled into an embrace. Ian leaned in, his voice a low chuckle in her ear, tinged with triumph. “Jealous?”

This was the reaction he had been hoping for. To confirm whether Clara still harbored feelings for him, he had purposely taken Heidi on a business trip. He ignored the rumors at the company about him and Heidi, wanting to see Clara’s response.

It was clear now. She still loved him, and she still cared. The frustration lan had felt over the past few days suddenly vanished.

He wrapped his arms around Clara’s waist and said in a hoarse voice, “Did you see that baby? Let’s have one just as cute.”