No Strings Attached

Chapter 65

Clara hadn’t seen lan for several days. He was abroad on business, with Heidi by his side.

Every day, Heidi would share photos in the company group chat. In every picture, there was a glimpse of lan.

Soon, the rumor of Ms. Clara dating the CEO crumbled into nothingness, replaced by whispers of Mr. Hayes and his all–time sweetheart, Heidi, nearing their happy ending. Some even went as far as to ask Leonora directly, who neither confirmed nor denied anything.

Clara didn’t mind. She took it as juicy gossip, something to laugh off. Her story with lan was long overdue for its finale.

Her phone buzzed on the desk. It was Christy, her predecessor as chief secretary, calling. Clara hit ‘accept‘ without hesitation. “Hi, Christy.”

“Clara, still at work? You need to come early. You can’t be late, love.”

“I’m heading out now, see you in a bit.”

Christy had been lan’s chief secretary before Clara and had mentored her into the role. Ever since Christy married into the Hicks family, tying the knot with their heir, Roger, she’d been a stay–at– home wife.

Today was the christening of her baby.

The celebration was at the Hicks family mansion, and by the time Clara arrived, the place. was bustling.

She handed her gift to Christy and hugged her with a smile. “Christy, congratulations on becoming a mom. This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

Christy, visibly thrilled, clutched Clara’s hand. “Just you? Mr. Hayes didn’t come?”

“He’s on a business trip, and he should be back tomorrow.”

“The CEO is out of town, and his chief secretary isn’t with him? Is there trouble in paradise?”

Having served three years by lan’s side, Christy knew the ins and outs of the business, as well as the intricacies of Clara and lan’s relationship. But like any seasoned professional, she understood the art of knowing without spilling.

“It’s not like that,” Clara said with a casual smile, “I just have other matters to take care of.” Clara walked over to the crib as she spoke and when she saw the baby, dressed in a tiny pink dress, sleeping soundly, her eyes misted over. Clara lowered her gaze, not wanting to let Christy see her emotional reaction. She reached out to gently touch the baby’s tiny

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hand and said with a smile, “How adorable.

Christy teased her, “If you like, have one of your own. You’re at the perfect age. I’m a bit older, and recovery’s been tough.”

Clara felt a lump in her throat at that comment. She might never be a mother in her lifetime. Her gaze lingered on the baby’s sweet face, lost in thought.

Christy seemed to sense something and patted Clara’s shoulder with a chuckle, “But hey, you’re only 24. You’ve got plenty of time in your hands.”

The two were chatting when Roger suddenly popped in, smiling. “Christy, lan’s here. Let’s go say hi.”

Christy looked surprised and then at Clara. “Speak of the devil. Can you watch the baby for me? I’ll go down and take a look.”

Clara stood by the window, watching as lan and Heidi walked in arm in arm, cozy and intimate. lan had never brought a date to such a private event before. Heidi was the first.

Clara needed no explanation for his motives. Perhaps, as everyone speculated, good news was on the horizon for them. The agreement between her and lan might end sooner than expected. It was the day she had longed for.

However, seeing them together, mingling with the guests, Clara’s heart still ached. Especially when she saw the child, Clara’s mind was flooded with the memory that she, too, once had a child. A child with lan.

If things had been different, that child would have been over two months old by now.