No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 413

Anders felt a sting in his chest. In his mind, Elle was always the pampered princess. Once upon a time, a mere paper cut would bring her to tears. But now, facing such a grievous injury, she was unbelievably composed.

What on earth had she gone through in the past three years, caring for Orin all by herself?

Anders extended his arm, bringing it close to Elle's mouth. His voice was slightly hoarse. "If it's too much to bear, you can bite down on my arm."

Elle shook her head gently. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

She said that, but when the doctor set her bone, she was sweating bullets, and her teeth were grinding as if they might shatter. Her hands clutched Anders' arm so tightly that her nails dug into his flesh. Yet even so, she did not utter a single cry of pain.

As they placed the splint, the doctor couldn't stop praising her. "You're the strongest mother I've ever seen. Many men couldn't endure this pain."

Elle had one arm in a splint and the other wrapped in gauze. Her voice was frail. "Doctor, how soon can I take these off?"

"With daily dressings, this arm should be about a week. The broken one, however, needs at least two weeks. During this time, you absolutely cannot get them wet."

Elle looked troubled. "Could I wrap them in plastic wrap when I shower?"

The doctor watched her with a chuckle. "Why push yourself? You've got your husband. Don't you? If you don't rely on him now, then when?"

Elle was about to explain that she and Anders were nothing to each other, but the words died on her lips, and she didn't know how to begin. Her gaze dropped, and her complexion was ashen. Anders, seeing her pale face, felt a pang of sympathy. He bent down to embrace Elle. His eyes were tender. "I'm here for you. I'll help you with your baths." Then, he carried Elle out the door. Trevor and Alicia had hurried over upon hearing the news. Alicia's eyes brimmed with tears at the sight of Elle's injuries.

Elle had been through IVF, and Alicia had been with her every step of the way. She knew the ordeal Elle had endured for the sake of a child. Alicia looked at Elle with tearful eyes. "Elle, you've suffered." Elle's lips, pale as death, curved ever so slightly. "I'm okay, and the baby is fine, ma'am. Please don't worry."

She still addressed her respectfully as ma'am. This made Alicia's heart swell. She glanced at her son, who was not living up to expectations, and instructed, "Take good care of Elle. If anything else happens to her, you can forget about calling me mother."

Anders spoke gently, "Don't worry. I'm taking a few days off work to stay with her and Orin."

"That's more like it!"

Trevor, having just ended a phone call, strode over. His expression was grim at the sight of Elle's wounds. "The driver's been arrested. This is my fault. He was a criminal I sentenced back in my court days, just released and set on revenge. Elle, I owe you an apology."

The mayor himself was bending over to apologize to her. Elle felt overwhelmed, immediately trying to break free from Anders' embrace. "Anders, put me down."

Anders remained calm. "My father has put you in danger. It's only right he apologizes. Don't feel bad."

"But Trevor is the mayor. I can't accept this."

"But he's also Orin's grandfather, your future father-in-law."

With that statement, Elle froze in place. "Anders?"

"Elle," Anders cut her off, "no matter how you push me away, what I want to tell you is, my family's daughter-in-law can only be you."

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