No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 244

Clara felt lan's firm grip as he guided her out of the college's back gate, passing the very alley that had been the scene of a traumatic event three years ago.

The alley remained a picture of neglect, with its pothole-riddled path and walls crying out for a fresh coat of paint. The occasional yowl of a stray cat pierced the silence, and the flickering streetlights stretched their shadows long and distorted across the ground.

A shiver ran down Clara's spine as she clung to lan's arm, her voice betraying her anxiety. "Ian, why are we here?"

lan's handsome face was accentuated by the dim light, casting sharp contrasts across his features. His eyes, deep pools of mystery, shimmered with a soft light, and his lips curved into a half-smile as he gazed at Clara with a look as tender as moonlight on water.

"Clara," lan's voice was warm, magnetic, "I never knew what it was to feel a heartbeat until I met you. I used to think my fondness for you was just physical attraction, but after you left, I realized it was more profound. The moment I saw you here, I fell for you. Otherwise, I wouldn't have agreed to let you stay and take care of me."

"I never imagined myself capable of everlasting love; my parents' rocky relationship had left a lasting impression on me. So, I kept my true feelings for you hidden deep within. The harsher my words were to you, the deeper the pain in my heart. You taught me what love is and showed me how blissful it is to love and be loved.

"It took me three years to learn how to love someone, and because I didn't know how to express it, I ended up hurting you. If I could turn back time, I'd rewrite our story starting from this alley, and this time, I'd be the one to fall for you first. I wouldn't let you get hurt or lose our child.

"Clara, can we start over?"

His fingers, long and elegant, traced her cheek, then lingered at her earlobe, sending a shiver down her spine. His touch was provocative, stirring a tremor in her body and causing her heart to skip a beat. Lifting her eyes to his, Clara felt the heat of his breath, the intensity of his gaze. This sudden revelation left her floundering, unsure of how to respond to this passionate version of lan. She knew how to handle cold, indifferent lan, even the sly, domineering lan, but she was at a loss with this tender and alluring man before her.

Seeing the panic in her eyes, lan leaned in and kissed her gently. "Don't be afraid. This time, I'll take the lead. Just relax and let yourself feel my love."

His lips captured the ones he'd longed for in a gentle, initiating a kiss that gradually melted away Clara's resistance. Her hands instinctively wrapped around his neck as they both lost themselves in the moment, their breaths merging into soft, urgent whispers.

In the midst of their embrace, lan's phone rang, shattering the moment. Clara, suddenly brought back to reality, pushed him away, breathing heavily.

lan's eyes flashed with irritation as he glanced at the caller ID. Gritting his teeth, he answered the call. "If this isn't critical, you're booking yourself a one-way ticket to Antarctica tomorrow!" he barked.

On the other end, Dawson hesitated, realizing he might have interrupted something important. "My apologies, Mr. Hayes. It's urgent. We've just received word from the prison that Victoria has attempted suicide. She's been taken to the hospital."

lan's expression darkened. "Ensure the hospital does everything to save her. She must be kept alive," he ordered, his voice cold as steel.

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