No Strings Attached

After a thorough discussion, the medical team decided to prioritize saving the baby. Clara's injuries were not fatal. However, if the baby wasn't delivered soon, its chances of survival were slim. Forty minutes into the surgery, the baby was born.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Upon seeing his child for the first time, lan's tears flowed once again. He stared at the tiny figure in the doctor's hands. The small being had its eyes closed, and brows furrowed tightly as if in great discomfort. lan immediately asked, "How's the baby?"

The obstetrician replied, "It's too early to say. We need to stabilize the baby first and then see."

lan clenched his fists tightly, the veins on his neck bulging visibly. His heart was tense as if he was walking through an abyss without a glimpse of light.

Another hour passed. Ian was informed that the baby had been stabilized but, due to being premature, needed to be placed in an incubator.

Clara had two broken ribs and, along with significant blood loss, was currently unconscious. Casey had suffered severe head trauma, potentially leaving him in a vegetative state.

Hearing this, lan felt like he himself had turned into a vegetative state, sitting motionlessly on a chair.

Clara and the baby were safe, but Clara's beloved father might never wake up again. To be with lan, Clara had almost lost her child and her own life, and her father almost fell into a coma.

Despite lan's desire to find more reasons to keep Clara by his side, the reality was staring him in the face, and he had to admit that all he had brought Clara was harm.

The disputes involving the Hayes family had not only cost May her life but had also forced Clara to wander for years without knowing her family.

Subsequent schemes by Leonora and Heidi had subjected Clara to much injustice and harm, nearly costing her life several times.

Now, her father might end up in a vegetative state because of lan.

All of this was his doing. If Clara hadn't been with him, her life wouldn't have turned out this way.

This accident might never have happened if he had heeded his father's advice and parted ways with Clara earlier.

He professed his love for Clara, unwilling to part with her, yet in the end, he had caused her immense suffering.

Reflecting on this, lan clasped his

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head tightly. The agony was so intense he found it hard to breathe Letting go was the best way to protect Clara and their child, but letting go meant facing an unbearable future without them.

lan sat motionless outside the door, lost in thought.

Teo approached and patted his shoulder, his voice tinged with sorrow. "Ian, Clara's grandparents have arrived. Don't you have anything to say?"

lan understood his father's implication all too well. He slowly lifted his head. His eyes were alarmingly red, and his voice was choked with emotion as he said, "Dad, it hurts so much." With those words, both men were moved to tears.

Understanding his son's feelings,

Teo wiped away his tears and said,

"The Hayes family owes Clara an apology. Thankfully, the child is safe, and Clara is, too. Otherwise, I wouldn't know what to do. lan, it's

time to make a decision. We can't let Clara suffer any more undeserved harm."

lan nodded slightly. He carelessly wiped his face, disregarding any semblance of appearance, and said with a deep, resolute voice, "Release a statement saying Clara's injuries were severe and the baby didn't make it."

Hearing this, Teo stared at him in surprise. "Ian, what are you planning?"

lan stood up, his eyes shifting from pain to a fierce determination.