No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 497

Thinking about these things made lan felt a wave of empathy as he looked at Anders. "You should spend more time with Elle. She's probably feeling pretty vulnerable right now, being a mom and all. I haven't told Clara about this. I'm worried she'll start imagining the worst."

"Better she doesn't know. With just three months to go before the baby comes, we need to keep things safe and stress-free."

The two men delved deeper into the matter of Leonora.

By the time lan left the office, it was well past seven in the evening.

He stopped by a florist to pick up a bouquet of fresh flowers and then swung by the bakery for a cake.

When he finally got home, he saw Clara and Buddy, their little terrier, sitting on the swing.

Buddy came trotting over to lan, circling around his feet and making a playful whining sound.

lan bent down to scratch the dog's neck, chiding him, "How many times have I told you to give Mom some space? When will you learn?"

Buddy barked back a few times in protest before scampering away.

lan, carrying the cake and cradling the flowers, approached Clara and gently kissed her lips.

He handed her the flowers and asked with a smile, "Has the little rascal been giving you a hard time today?"

Inhaling the fragrance of the flowers, Clara looked up at him with twinkling eyes and nodded. "He's been especially mischievous lately, always squirming around when I'm trying to nap, ruining my midday rest."

lan pressed his face against her belly and said with mock severity, "You hear that, you little troublemaker? If you keep picking on my wife, you're getting a spanking the moment you're out."

As if on cue, the baby started to move energetically at the sound of lan's voice.

Seeing such a lively little life, lan kissed Clara's belly contentedly.

"That's it, scamp. I'll deal with you later. Right now, I need to pamper my wife with some cake."

Then, he wrapped his arm around Clara, and holding the cake. They walked into the living room.

Casey was in the kitchen cooking up a storm and greeted them with a laugh, "Go wash up, dinner will be ready in a jiffy."

lan passed by with a chuckle, "Thanks for the hard work, Pop."

"What hard work? I was just whipping up a meal. This is what life's all about. Look at the warmth in our home now."

For safety's sake, lan hadn't hired any help, leaving all the household chores to Casey.

Feeling a bit guilty, lan promised, "When the baby's born, you'll be the first one to hold him."

"Well, of course," Casey replied, "that kid is the treasure my daughter brought into this world with her strength."

lan led Clara into the downstairs bathroom. As the door shut, Clara whispered, "lan, I need a favor from you."

He looked at her earnestly and kissed her again gently, "Just say the word, sweetheart. Whatever it is, I'll take care of it."

Clara hesitated for a moment before

"I

to help Dad find t

n back then. It's his fa

and blood, after all."

lan washed her hands thoughtfully, responding, "After all these years, it won't be easy. Because Victoria brought you home, there was no police record. Even if the traffickers were caught, if no one claimed the child, they most likely ended up in different orphanages. But I do my best to search and hope for a good outcome, okay?"

Clara nodded with a smile. "Why have you been so agreeable lately? You say 'yes' to everything. You're not up to something behind my back, are you?"

lan dried her hands with a towel and then, with a mischievous grin, pulled her hand toward his pants.

"Why don't you check for yourself, Mrs. Hayes?" he teased, his eyes gleaming with playful intent.

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