No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 440

Clara lay weak and fragile in Casey's arms. Her sobs gradually subsided into the rhythms of sleep.

Staring at her gaunt cheeks, Casey was haunted by a nagging premonition sparked by her earlier words. His hand tenderly brushed her forehead as his eyes welled up with concern. "Clara, do you know something you're not telling me?"

Since her return, Clara had been in a deep slumber for two whole days and nights. Even in her unconscious state, she was aware of visitors by her bedside.

She heard Sasha's tearful rebukes, felt Rose's gentle grip on her hand accompanied by soft sobs. Clara longed to open her eyes to see them, but her eyelids seemed glued shut, unyielding to her will. Dream and reality blurred into one another.

She saw herself, a child again, asleep on her father's back; she relived the heartbreaking moment when, after her desperate plunge into the lake triggered by Victoria's actions, her father cradled her lifeless body and wept.

Every act of love her father had bestowed upon her since childhood replayed in her mind. His image shifted from a young, handsome scholar to a middle-aged man with graying temples. In each phase, the adoration in his eyes never wavered.

After the divorce from Victoria, her father, not yet forty, had dedicated his life solely to her, never contemplating remarriage. How could such a devoted man not be her biological father? The thought of his sorrow pierced her heart.

Visions of her father's loving gaze flooded Clara's mind, and tears streamed down her cheeks uncontrollably as she murmured, "Daddy, daddy."

At her calls, Casey rushed to her side. His hand soothingly stroked her hair as he whispered, "It's alright. I'm right here."

When she heared his voice, Clara's eyes fluttered open, revealing a depth of unspoken anguish. With a choked voice, she murmured, "Dad, I've missed you so much."

Casey bent down to envelop her in his embrace. His large hand gently caressed her head. "Clara, tell me what's happened," he urged softly.

Clara clung to Casey's neck, silent but for the tears that kept flowing. If Casey had harbored any doubts before, they were now dispelled. Clara knew the truth of her origins.

He ventured cautiously, "Did Heidi say something to you?"

After a few seconds of hesitation, Clara faintly nodded. "Dad, why am I not your child? Is it a mistake? I don't want to be the daughter of the Campbell family. I just want you to be my dad.”

As she finished, Clara's sobs grew quieter in Casey's hold.

Easing her turmoil with gentle reassurance, Casey whispered, "I will always be your dad, and you will always be my dearest Clara. That will never change. If you don't want to return to the Campbell family, ther don't. I'm not ready to give you up to Paolo just yet."

Their tender embrace was witnessed by Edwin as he entered the room. His heart ached to connect with Clara. He wanted nothing more than to let her know he was her brother, the one who would watch over her from now on. But witnessing her attachment to Casey and her refusal to accept her true heritage left him immobile, his feet refusing to make even the slightest movement forward.

lan placed a comforting hand on Edwin's shoulder, murmuring, "We need to give her time to process this. In a few days, she'll come to terms with it. Clara has a strong sense of right and wrong; she won't hold Paolo's sins against you."

Edwin's heart, which had been taut with anxiety, eased slightly at lan's words.

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