No Strings Attached

Puddles splashed underfoot, scattering in every direction. They splattered on the ground and on his stylish, expensive trousers.

lan had never felt such an urgent need to pull Clara into his arms as he did now. It was as though he had walked through Clara's youth, understanding every part of her. His love for her deepened, burning hotter and seeping into his very bones.

He ran to Clara, his face streaked with what could either be rain or sweat. His dark eyes fixed on her intensely, and his voice was low and husky as he called out to her. "Clara."

Her eyes, red and swollen, looked back at him as her slender hands gently caressed his cheek. Her voice was choked with emotion. "Ian, I've missed you so much." Hearing these words, lan could no longer control the emotions he had been suppressing. He pulled Clara close, murmuring incessantly, "Clara, I'm sorry, so sorry."

He was sorry for the disasters he brought upon her, sorry that he didn't realize she was No. 11. He felt he had betrayed her deep affection and failed her persistent love.

Clara softly stroked his damp hair, her voice tender. "My brother was right. What mom would have wanted most is to see me happy, and I can only be happy with you. So, I've decided to treat you and Leonora differently. She is the enemy who killed my mother, but you are the man I love most, the father of our child, and the one I want to spend my life with."

Hearing this, lan felt as if his heart was being pierced by thousands of arrows. The pain made him even forget to breathe.

How deeply Clara must love him to have come to this realization in such a short time.

She said she could only be happy with him. She said she wanted to spend her life with him. In their love, Clara had always been the forgiving one. She forgave him for not recognizing her, for the harsh demands he made of her. Now, she even forgave him for having such an awful mother.

From the beginning to the end, Clara's love for him was unbreakable.

lan slowly lifted his head. His cold hands cupped Clara's cheeks. Tears welled up in his dark eyes. "Clara, why are you so good to me? Why do you love me so much? I don't deserve it. You've given up so much for me, but all I've brought you is pain. I've thought about leaving you, thinking you'd be spared from disasters if you weren't with me. But I can't bear to let you go, knowing how much you love me. I want to do everything in my power to protect you and our baby."

"Clara, can you trust me one more time, please?"

By the end, lan's voice was choked with emotion, his Adam's apple moving restlessly. Tears that had been brimming in his eyes finally rolled down his cheeks.

This broke Clara's heart. As she wiped away his tears, she cried, "lan, please don't cry. You never cry. Your tears are too much for me. Can't we just make up? I've missed you so much."ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

lan couldn't contain his desire any longer. He lowered his head, pressing his rain-soaked forehead against Clara's. His voice was rough and barely recognizable. "Clara, I've missed you too, and I want to kiss you so much."

Without waiting for Clara to respond, he leaned in and captured her lips. The familiar, cold touch made Clara stiffen momentarily. Before she could say anything, her lips were parted in a tender yet possessive kiss that swept over her.

Soon, she was lost in it, her arms winding around lan's neck. She started to kiss him back.

They stood at the doorstep, locked in the kiss for who knew how long, until Clara began to struggle for breath. Only then did lan slowly let her go. His thumb gently caressed her slightly reddened lips, and his voice became husky. "Let's go home, and I'll reward you properly, okay?"