No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian) novel Chapter 263

“Sorry to rain on your parade, Grandma Rose, but Clara won’t be fulfilling that wish of yours.”

Marian immediately tugged at her clothes in disapproval, scolding, “Heidi, whatare you talking about? Today’s Grandma Rose’s birthday, for heaven’s sake. Why on earth would you say something so ominous?”

Heidi looked at her with a hint of hurt in her eyes. “Grandma, I’m not wrong, am I? Back in the day, Grandma Rose disapproved of my relationship with Ian due to my inability to have children. She wanted to preserve the Hayes family legacy. But Clara can’t have kids either, right? Surely Grandma Rose knows this?”

Her words froze Grandma Rose’s smile in an instant.

With a stern gaze, Rose rebuked Heidi. “Heidi, out of respect for the bond between your grandmother and me, I’ve let bygones be bygones. But I will not stand for you slandering Clara like this. Just because Ian chose her over you, you wish her ill? Outrageous!”

Facing Rose’s accusation, Heidi looked at Clara with an air of innocence.

“Clara, Ian loves you so much, and Grandma Rose adores you. Why would you deceive them? You know very well that your chances of conceiving are barely twenty percent. You might never carry a child. Why keep it a secret? Is your selfishness worth breaking Ian’s heart and disappointing Grandma Rose?”

She spoke as if she was the noble guardian of the Hayes family’s welfare, never letting on a hint of envy.

Clara was rendered speechless. She had planned to discuss this with Ian after his discharge from the hospital, but she hadn't expected to be rushed into meeting the family at Grandma Rose’s birthday banquet without any warning.

Caught off guard by Heidi’s revelation, Clara hesitated. Just as she was about to speak, she felt a comforting warmth wrap around her waist.

Heidi was fuming with indignation. How could the Hayes family be so hypocritical? Why was everything acceptable when it came to Clara?

Rose’s words left her feeling utterly humiliated. She bit her lip, with tears welling up in her eyes as she looked to Marian for solace. But to her dismay, her grandmother was more concerned with comforting Clara, reassuringly grasping her hand. “Don’t fret, dear. I know a wise old naturopath, dubbed the ‘Stork of Good Fortune.’ With a few treatments, you’ll be just fine.”

Heidi was on the verge of exploding with anger. She turned to Edwin, hoping he’d support her, but his phone inconveniently rang.

Ignoring Heidi, Edwin stepped aside to answer the call.

“Mr. Edwin, we’ve found a girl with a petal birthmark on her back.”