No Strings Attached

Chapter 25

She gripped Heidi’s wrist tightly. In an instant, Heidi felt a sharp pain engulf her whole body. “Clara, my hand’s still healing, if you mess with me, you’re in for a world of hurt.”

A cold chuckle emerged from Clara’s throat. “Heidi, I’ve got nothing to lose. You’ve been setting me up time and again, and if I don’t settle this score with you, am I really doing you justice? Didn’t you accuse me of injuring your hand, claiming you couldn’t compete in the piano contest anymore? Well then, I’ll grant your wish and show you what real injury is.”

With that, Clara exerted force, and a crisp ‘snap‘ echoed in the air.

Heidi let out a piercing scream. “Ah, Clara, my hand! You actually broke my hand. Do you have any idea how much my hands are worth? You couldn’t afford it even if you sold everything you own.”

“Well, that works out since I never planned on compensating you.” After speaking, Clara exerted force again, and another finger of Heidi’s snapped with a crisp sound.

Heidi was unaccustomed to such torment, sweating from the pain, tears involuntarily streaming down her face: “Clara, you just wait. I won’t let this slide.”

Clare slowly released her, a sinister smile playing in her eyes. “I’m warning you too, don’t mess with me again, or I can’t predict how far I’ll go next time.”

Finishing, Clara pushed Heidi away and coldly spat out, “Get lost.”

Heidi was in too much pain to speak, glared fiercely at Clara for a few seconds, then turned and left. Watching Heidi retreat in disarray, Clara felt the tightness in her chest ease.

To hell with lan. And to hell with Heidi.

When pushed to the limit, Clara didn’t care about anyone anymore.

Clara knew the restroom’s camera was broken, so even if Heidi wanted to press charges, there would be no evidence. She wanted Heidi to experience the bitterness of a voiceless grievance.

Just as Clara was about to leave, a wave of dizziness hit her. Stars burst in her vision. Only then did she remember, amidst today’s mayhem, she hadn’t eaten a thing. Undoubtedly her blood sugar was low again.

Clara leaned on the washbasin, reaching slowly for her purse. Just one piece of candy would alleviate her symptoms instantly.

But she had overestimated herself. Her hand barely brushed her purse when she uncontrollably stumbled

backward.

Just as she braced for a nasty fall, she found herself caught by a strong chest. A familiar voice reached her ears, “Clara, are you alright?”

Through her hazy vision, lan’s handsome face appeared. His words from earlier flashed in her mind. She tried to wriggle free from his embrace, but her body was utterly drained of strength.

lan bent down, lifted her onto the countertop, his voice laced with reproach. “Who let you drink so much? You trying to kill yourself?”

As he spoke, his fingertips gently caressed the reddened corners of Clara’s eyes, his voice growing huskier. “Come back with me, everything will go back to the way it was, and you won’t have to struggle like this.”

When he was drinking with Chase and the others, they’d hinted that Clara’s miscarriage might have more to the story. He might have been wrong about Clara.

Clara turned her face away, her heart tinged with bitterness. She pushed lan away, her voice weak, “I don’t need you to worry about me. Let go.”

But she had no strength, and her movements were feeble, like a petulant little kitten.

lan’s fingertips gently pressed against her lips, his dark eyes unreadable. “I’ve spoiled you for three years, not for you to entertain others with drinks. Clara, just apologize, and I can forget the past.”

Clara’s eyes glossed with wet red, “lan, I won’t go back. Just give up that notion.”