Chapter 11 lanâs gaze faltered, a cold glint passing through his eyes as they settled on Clara. âIf youâre feeling suicidal, be my guest,â he said with ice in his voice.
Claraâs delicate face twisted with a mock smirk. âAnd what makes you think I havenât been through it? What if I just lost 2000 milliliters of blood? Would you still have me donate to her?â
âClara, cut the drama, lan snapped. âAt most, a woman loses about 60 milliliters during her period. If youâre going to make excuses, at least make them believable.â
A bitter smile tugged at Claraâs lips. She couldnât have made it clearer, yet he refused to believe her.
Even a little concern from him would have prompted him to ask. If he knew her at all, he would understand she wasnât the type to leave someone in the lurch.
That was the difference between love and indifference.
A mere scratch on Heidi had sent him into a panic. Yet, he hadnât noticed at all when Clara had gone through a dangerous miscarriage.
Amidst her heartache, Claraâs eyes caught sight of a figure at the door of the hospital room. She froze in place. The day Clara had her miscarriage, she had seen a shadow during her moment of unconsciousness. A manâs gentle and low call echoed in her ears. When she forced her eyes open, she had seen the very man standing before her now.
She remembered clutching his arm tightly, pleading in a whisper, âPlease, save me.â
When she awoke, Sasha told her a handsome guy with glasses had brought her in.
With a selfâdeprecating laugh, Clara approached the man identified as Edwin. âAre you Heidiâs brother?â she asked softly.
Edwin nodded slightly, his voice soothing. âMs. Clara, if thereâs anything wrong with your health, I can-â
Clara closed her eyes in resignation. Fate sure had a twisted sense of humor. The very man she had wanted to thank for saving her life turned out to be Heidiâs brother.
With a wry smile, she said, âMr. Edwin, may I have a word with you in private?â
Just as she was about to lead Edwin to the nearby stairwell, lanâs grip tightened around her wrist. âWhat do you need him for?
Canât you say whatever it is in front of me?â
Clara scoffed, âWhy should you be privy to my words?â
âSince when did you become so unreasonable, Clara?â
âIs it me whoâs unreasonable, or is it you whoâs heartless?â Without waiting for lanâs response, she broke free from his grasp.
Under lanâs icy stare, she took Edwin aside. Claraâs usually vibrant face was now pale. Looking up at Edwinâs handsome features, she began, âMr. Edwin, I havenât had the chance to thank you for saving my life that day. Little did I know Iâd get the opportunity to repay you so soon. Donât worry, I will donate blood for your sister. But I have a conditionâI need you to keep the fact that you saved me a secret.â
A look of concern flashed across Edwinâs face. The baby was lanâs, wasnât it?â
Clara smiled faintly. âWhose it was doesnât matter anymore. Itâs gone. I just donât want this to affect my decision.â
All she knew was that she didnât want any more complications. She wanted to get away from lan as soon as possible.
1/2 14.05 Chapter 11 Edwinâs eyes darkened. He seemed to see a glimpse of a mother in Claraâs expression. With a slight catch in his voice, he asked, âBut you lost a lot of blood that day, and it hasnât been long. Are you sure you can handle this?â
1. Claraâs lips curved into a mirthless smile. âThatâs my concern. I just want to repay your kindness and be done with it. After that, we donât owe each other anything.â