No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 255

Della wriggled her tiny arms and legs with unbridled excitement upon seeing Clara.

Christy chuckled, "Look at how much she adores you. She doesn't even get this worked up when she sees her daddy."

Roger, feeling a pang of jealousy, retorted, "Who says? My little girl loves me the most. She proves it every day, wetting and soiling my clothes." Their laughter and banter filled the hallway as they entered lan's hospital room. They found him alone, sitting on the balcony, enjoying a cigarette.

Clara marched up to him, snatched the cigarette from his fingers, and stubbed it out in an ashtray. She flung the window open to air out the room, her face set in a stern expression. "Doctor's orders are there for a reason, lan. If you keep this up and your wound doesn't heal, don't expect me to fuss over you."

Roger couldn't help but feel vindicated. "Exactly, let's not baby him. Some people just don't deserve the attention. No wonder he's still a bachelor, while I, on the other hand, am the model husband, always listening to my wife and never doing what she dislikes, right, honey?"

Christy shot him a glare. "We're here to visit the sick, not to settle scores."

"Oh, right, thanks for the reminder, babe. Almost forgot, this rascal nearly bit the dust. Tough as nails, though. We'll have to grab a beer sometime to calm the nerves."

lan scoffed coldly, "Not picking up wilted lilies at the funeral home anymore? Moved on to drinking, have we? Seems like Christy's been quite generous with your allowance."

At this, Christy turned to Roger. "What's this about picking up wilted lilies? When have I ever not given you money?"

With an awkward smile, Roger explained, "Well, I was thinking of buying them, but Chase said, why waste money on fresh flowers that cost a fortune? Better to save it for a drink, and a few lilies will do the trick."

"Roger! That's it. You're getting a budget cut this month!"

Christy was fuming as she bit down hard on her teeth and pulled out a card from her purse, offering it to Clara. "Mr. Hayes, Clara, don't stoop to his level. This is from me and Della, and has nothing to do with him."

Clara was reluctant to take it, but lan accepted it gracefully and handed it to her. "Take it, Clara. It's our goddaughter's way of showing her affection for her godfather. We'll get you some nice clothes with it." As he spoke, lan shot Roger a look that could kill.

Roger was seething with envy. His wife gave him a generous allowance, and now she was handing over a substantial amount to lan. Did money just blow into their house like leaves in the wind? He had worked hard for every cent.

Yet, there he was, biting his tongue in frustration. One more wrong word, and it wouldn't just be a cut in allowance but a halt in marital relations. He couldn't afford to slip up. With a snort of contempt, Roger taunted, "Enjoy playing the cheap godfather, spending someone else's money without shame. If you're so capable, have a kid of your own."

This was his crowning glory. Among his friends, he had married well and was the first to be a father. Despite the occasional restrictions from his wife, his happiness far outweighed them.

lan simply laughed off Roger's jab, pulling Clara close with a tender look in his eyes. "Clara, to shut this guy up, let's start working on a baby tonight. I want twins, a boy, and a girl, just to drive him crazy." His words were triumphant, but they only deepened the ache in Clara's heart. As she struggled with the pain of infertility, the thought of twins seemed a distant dream.

Clara forced a bitter smile, her gaze dropping to Della in her arms.

After seeing Roger's family out, lan wasted no time in enveloping Clara in his embrace, his head resting on her shoulder as he nuzzled her neck with his nose. His voice was husky and enticing. "Clara, the doc said if you're on top, it won't pull at my stitches."

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