No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)

Chapter 78

His gaze burned with an intensity that was almost palpable as he locked eyes with Clara. In a husky voice, he said, "Clara, I need to talk to you."

He reached for her hand, but before his fingers could graze hers, Sasha stepped in front of him. "What's your angle here, huh? You come crawling back after the truth's out, looking to make amends with our Clara? Save it. You lost that right the moment you dragged her to donate blood for Heidi, without a shred of trust in her."

"Do you have any idea she couldn't even give blood back then? She nearly died in that hospital trying to save her while you just stood by. And let's not forget how you treated her like some sugar baby. Did you stop for even a second to think how she'd feel when that recording went viral? Her three years of devotion reduced to nothing more than a sideshow for all to see.

"So, let me make this crystal clear: we don't want your pampering. Go find some other woman to play your twisted games with.

"From now on, stay the hell away from her. Come on, Clara, we're leaving!"

Sasha was a fiery spirit, and if it hadn't been for lan's status, she might have given him a piece of her mind with her boot.

Clara slipped away from her grasp. Her demeanor was ice cold. "Let it be, Sasha. You head to the car with Anders. I need a word with him."

Sasha patted her hand. Her eyes were alight with a protective fire. "Don't you go easy on him. He doesn't deserve it."

After saying that, Sasha turned and walked away. Once she was out of earshot, Claral finally turned her frosty gaze back to lan. "Mr. Hayes, thank you for finding Kaleb. I was wrong about you in that regard, and for that, I apologize."

"Clara, what was wrong with you that day at the hospital? Why didn't you say something?" A cold laugh escaped Clara's lips. "I did say I couldn't do it, but you coerced me with guilt, claiming I'd be leaving her to die."

"If you had told me why, I wouldn't have made you go."

"Really? And would you have believed me? If you hadn't seen the video of Kaleb, you'd still believe I was the one who pushed Heidi, wouldn't you? lan, think about it. Ever since Heidi came back, when have you ever truly believed me? Lused to be heartbroken over it, but now, I see it clearly. What trust is there between a benefactor and his kept woman, anyway? So, here's what propose: let me go. I won't leave behind a single trace to trouble your perfect world with Heidi. Is that what you want?"

Her voice was steady, betraying no hint of sadness or longing.

In a swift motion, lan pulled her into his arms. His eyes were blazing with a dangerous. crimson as he glared down at her. He had wanted to tell her that he never saw her as just a sugar baby, that he did trust her. However, faced with Clara's defiant stance, his pride took over once again. "Clara, you're no saint yourself. Aren't you just using me as a stand-in for someone else? Trying to fly away to your precious Mr. Nine?"

Clara's breath hitched. Her voice was icy as she asked, "How do you know about him?"

"You were the one who blurted it out after a few too many drinks, remember? You've been in love with him for seven years, projecting all your longing onto me. For three years,

every kindness you showed me was for him. You never loved me, not really."

The pain in Clara's heart was acute. This was the man she had loved for seven years, who doubted not only her actions but the sincerity of her love. She felt as if her years of deep affection had been devoured by the void.

Lifting her head, she fought back tears. Her voice trembled with a mix of rage and heartbreak. "lan, let's just say I've wasted three years with you. You're not worth my love."