No Strings Attached

Chapter 325

Ian seemed to think otherwise. He grasped Clara’s chin firmly, his voice growing colder by the second. “Clara, can you really bring yourself to leave me here all alone? Have you thought about what I’ll do after you go? Have you forgotten your promise that we’d stick together through thick and thin?”

The more he spoke, the more his heart ached. His eyes reddened with the effort to hold back tears. A mist of emotion clouded his eyes.

He bowed his head, his voice a low whisper. “Clara, please don’t leave me, okay?”

He didn’t wait for her to respond, capturing her soft lips in a kiss that was both aggressive and vengeful. The kiss left Clara gasping for air, nearly drowning in the intensity of his embrace.

Ian gave her a moment to breathe, only to unexpectedly pry her lips apart and invade deeper into her mouth.

Clara was kissed senseless. Her body went limp with a mixture of weakness and desire. A soft moan escaped her throat involuntarily. “Ian.”

The sound was a mix of breathlessness and the huskiness of one who felt aroused. Ian felt a shiver run down his spine, his blood rushing in response. His kiss became even more reckless, and his hands wandered over her without restraint.

Clara snapped back to reality and pushed Ian away. Her eyes were rimmed with red as she faced him. “Ian, stop being unreasonable, will you? I’m just packing up some things. Is that any reason to act like this?”

Ian looked into her wet, emotional eyes, and reached out to gently caress the reddened corner. His voice was hoarse but imposing. “Clara, don’t you dare sneak away from me!”

Unsatisfied with just words, he bit down on her lip as punishment.

Pain shot through Clara, and she pounded on his chest. “You’re insane!”

“Yes, if you leave, I’ll be even crazier. Don’t believe me? Just try.”

Whether it was Clara or Casey, he sensed something was off with them. They must be hiding something from him. Since they weren’t talking, he’d have to find out himself.

In front of Clara, he called Dawson. “Check if Clara and Casey have booked any international flights lately. I need the information pronto.”

Clara rolled her eyes at him as if it were all a game, then turned to go downstairs for dinner. As she turned, her eyes couldn’t help but well up. Her hands rested gently on her belly as she silently whispered to herself. “Baby, let’s have dinner with Daddy before we go, okay?”

Dinner was a cheerful affair, and it lasted a long time. After everything, Ian looked at Clara somewhat reluctantly. “There’s a festival tomorrow at Northbridge Old Street. I’ll take you.”

Clara didn’t refuse but agreed readily. “Sure. It’s late. You should head back.”

The two stood at the doorway, their gazes entwined with unspoken passion. Both suppressed their intense feelings.

Clara watched Ian’s car drive away. Her tears, long held back, finally streamed down her cheeks.

Ian hadn’t gone far when his phone rang. “Mr. Hayes, there’s no sign of them planning any international travel. Could there be a mistake?” Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

Ian pondered for a moment. “Better safe than sorry. Put a few more people on watching Clara and Casey.”

The next morning, Ian was jolted awake by the urgent ringing of his phone. Seeing the caller ID, he immediately answered.

“Mr. Hayes, Ms. Clara is missing.”