No Strings Attached

Chapter 262

Clara knew the woman before her was Heidi's grandmother, and she had every reason to harbor a less-than-favorable impression of her.

Yet why, when she saw the tears streaming down the elderly woman's face, did it tug at her heartstrings?

She approached and took hold of Marian's arm, her voice gentle. "Marian, it's Clara."

At these words, Marian wiped away her tears with a touch of disappointment. Choking with emotion, she clutched Clara's hand. "Why isn't it my May? When May played that tune, she sounded just like you. You and her—"

But before she could finish, Heidi interrupted, wrapping her arms around Marian's shoulders, her face etched with sorrow. "Grandma, are you missing mom? I miss her so much, too. How about I take you to see her tomorrow? Would that be okay?"

The sight of Heidi's tears stopped Marian from completing her thought. She couldn't understand why she saw her daughter's shadow in Clara. Every smile, every gesture was so reminiscent of her own child.

How could they really be unrelated?

Edwin had just walked in and caught this tender scene, his gaze landing on Clara. He observed her closely.

It wasn't just him who felt this connection to Clara. Why did his grandma mistake her for May, too? Was it longing, or did Clara truly bear a striking resemblance?

The thought struck Edwin's heart with such force that he found himself instinctively clenching his fists. His eyes fixed on Clara once again, landing on her back.

Clara was wearing a modern dress. It featured a sheer back, through which one could glimpse Clara's graceful shoulder blades.

Edwin's gaze lingered on Clara, searching her back for the birthmark of a petal that would confirm his suspicions. To his dismay, Clara's back was flawless, devoid of any mark.

Edwin's tense fists slowly relaxed, the flicker of hope in his heart extinguishing as quickly as it had ignited.

The banquet began, and as hosts, Ian and Teo went around with their glasses, toasting the guests. Clara stayed close to Rose and Marian. Both grandmas argued over who would serve Clara her food, nearly coming to blows. Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

This spectacle made Heidi, seated at a nearby table, grit her teeth in frustration. Why did Clara get to sit at the main table? Why was she so favored by Rose upon her arrival in the Hayes family?

Even her beloved grandmother, Marian, seemed to be more interested in Clara than her. Was blood truly thicker than water? Could her twenty-plus years with her grandmother mean less than Clara's blood ties?

The thought of Clara taking everything from her cast a growing shadow over Heidi's eyes. But she quickly masked her emotions, painting a light smile on her lips as she approached Rose with her glass.

Meanwhile, several other ladies, glasses in hand, were already toasting Rose.

"Here's to the lady of the hour. May you hold your great-grandchild soon!"

"You already have a granddaughter-in-law. The great-grandchildren will surely follow. Tell Ian to get on it, and maybe you'll be holding two by next year!"

"Rose, you better start planning Ian's wedding soon, or else the baby's full-moon celebration and the wedding reception will have to be on the same day!"

Amidst the well-wishing, Rose beamed ear to ear. She patted Clara's hand with a grin. "Clara, my only wish in life is to see you and Ian's child as soon as possible. That way, I can rest easy with the ancestors of the Hayes family. Can you grant me this wish?"

Rose's earnest, hopeful gaze was like a needle to Clara's heart. No matter how recklessly she had reconciled with Ian, they still had to face this monumental issue.

Her fingertips turned icy, her eyes flitting anxiously towards Ian. He was chatting with guests, oblivious to the situation unfolding at the main table.

Just as Clara was at a loss for words, Heidi's voice suddenly whispered in her ear.