No Strings Attached novel (Sharp and Clara’s)

Chapter 162

The timing was just the day before Clara's birthday.

So, Clara had taken that medication, and on her birthday, when lan was off playing the hero for Heidi, Clara miscarried their child. In other words, had he not insisted she take that medicine, their baby might have been spared. No wonder Clara had accused him of being the killer of their child. A floodgate of memories opened, and lan’s eyes shimmered with the sheen of madness, the kind that spoke of despair and the sort of pain that gnaws at the soul.

He remembered Clara asking him what they would do if she was pregnant. His response was cold, a warning not to play the child card, assuring her his precautions were foolproof — no child would come of this.

Now, the disappointment and pain in Clara's eyes at that moment haunted him. She was already bearing the agony of loss. He had offered no comfort, instead spitting venom like a real piece of work.

The bitter truth was now clear as day. He had shattered her heart. No wonder she had cut ties so thoroughly.

Recalling their breakup, the harsh words he had unleashed, lan couldn't help but slap himself across the face, hissing, “You monster!”

Chase had never seen lan like this. Grabbing his wrist, he said, “Enough, lan. Even if you killed yourself, what good would it do? Clara's already been through hell. Better think of making amends. I reckon you know who's behind tampering with the medicine. We're talking about a life here, a Hayes legacy snuffed out. If Grandma Rose got wind of this, she'd tan your hide.”

lan forcefully ripped off his tie, causing two buttons on his shirt to pop off due to the excessive force, revealing his exquisitely sexy collarbones and the bulging veins on his neck.

That's when Dawson's call came through. “Mr. Hayes, Attorney Clara's prescription didn't include that ingredient, but the pharmacy always adds it automatically. A clerk there told me-it was his mentor’s doing.”

lan, teeth clenched, demanded, “Where's this clerk now?”

“I've got him. Where should I bring him?”

“The family estate.” lan sped off into the night, arriving at the estate well past 2 a.m.

Rose had long retired for the evening. Roused by the butlers urgent knocking, she sensed trouble; no one dared disturb her at this hour without good reason.

X

She quickly dressed, and opened the door to find the butler's face clouded with worry. “What's happened?” she asked.

“Mrs. Rose, brace yourself. I've never seen Mr. lan so enraged. Something's terribly wrong.” Buttoning up her dressing gown, Rose deduced, “It must be about Clara. Nothing else gets under his skin like this.”

She rushed to the great hall, her eyes surveying the tense faces around her. “lan, what's happened?” Rose inquired.

The rage on lan’s face didn't soften, even at the sight of Rose. Taking her hand, he said gravely, “Grandma Rose, Clara was pregnant.”

The news visibly shook Rose. “Pregnant? That's wonderful news. Why the anger? Could it be..." Her sharp intellect connected the dots. The baby was gone.

She collapsed onto the sofa, tears glistening in her eyes. “Who dared harm your kid? Tell me, and I shall seek justice for you and the child.”

lan, his brow furrowed, pointed to a shadowed corner of the room and said with icy resolve, “Her!” 1/1