Female Novel
Chapter 304
Clara's eyes fluttered open to the cloak of night that had settled outside her window. Her senseswere still tinged with the phantom scent of Ian, his voice a lingering whisper in her mind.
She had even dreamed of their lips meeting in a tender kiss. Her longing was so intense that itconjured such vivid dreams.
The sound of firecrackers echoed from afar, followed by the brilliant dance of fireworks painting thesky. The spirit of New Year's Eve grew stronger by the minute. And with it, Clara's yearning for Ian,a yearning so profound it manifested as a dull ache in her chest.
She couldn't help but place her hands on her belly, whispering a silent promise to the life within."Baby, once you're safely here, we'll celebrate the New Year with Daddy, okay?"
As Ian rounded the corner, he caught the shimmer of unshed tears in Clara's half-lit eyes. The tearsamassed, eventually cascading down her cheeks.
He knelt beside her, his cool fingertips gently wiping away the moisture, his voice a soft caress ofconcern. "Clara, why are you crying? Have you been missing me?"
At the sound of his voice, Clara's eyes snapped open, her gaze crashing into the intense warmth ofIan's own.
Her heart contracted sharply. She could barely manage a hoarse whisper, "Ian."
His hand stroked her cheek as he spoke in a husky tone, "Yeah, I'm here. I've come to spend theholidays with you."
Clara jolted upright on the sofa as if electrified. Staring at Ian, she stammered, "You—when did youget here?"
Only then did she notice Ian's coat draped over her shoulders. Had that kiss been a dream, or had ithappened for real?
Reading her thoughts from the confusion in her eyes, Ian chuckled softly, "I've been here for awhile, been busy in the kitchen with your Dad, preparing the feast. What's with the blush? Don't tellme you were dreaming of something... naughty with me?"novelbin
"No!" Clara's denial came swiftly, too swiftly, as she feared giving anything away. Her demeanorturned frosty in an instant. "We're no longer together, Ian. Besides, it's New Year's Eve. You shouldbe with your own family, not here."
Ian massaged her head gently. "Grandma Rose took the family on a trip and left me to hold downthe fort. If you send me away, I'll be all alone for the holidays. Doesn't that make you feel a bit sorryfor me? My family doesn't need me, and neither do you?"
"Why didn't you go with them?"
"You know how hectic it gets at the end of the year at the company. Without you, the brilliant andcapable attorney, to help me, I've been swamped. I even missed lunch today. Your Dad felt sorry forme and asked me to stay and celebrate." Ian played the sympathy card like a maestro, with evenhis eyes pleading for compassion.
Clara's heart couldn't help but soften a little. Her eyelashes fluttered, "Stay for dinner, then leave,okay? I don't want any misunderstandings, like we've reconciled. It's the holidays. I don't want anytrouble."
"Clara." Ian grasped her hand, his voice low and earnest. "If I promise to protect you and thosearound you, would you consider coming back to me?"
Clara met his gaze with clear eyes. "How can you protect me? Like a bodyguard, 24/7? Ian, haveyou considered the dangers I've faced these past six months? I lost our child without us evenknowing, was cornered by Victoria at the company's anniversary, nearly lost my life to a strongaphrodisiac, almost got crushed by a champagne tower at a friend's wedding, and had acid thrownat me during a veterinary visit. My father was kidnapped, and Grandpa Reed died because ofinflicted stress... All of this, evidence or not, seems connected to your mother and Heidi."