Chapter 164 lan watched as Grandma Rose dialed his father, but he didnât concern himself with what she said. He just left, dragging his weary body into the enveloping night.
The darkness grew denser, a blanket of serenity over the land. Only the dim streetlights peppered along the sidewalks, sketching out a lonely, forlorn scene.
He didnât take his car, just walked alone under the pitch dark sky. The night air was cool, slipping down his collar and chilling his chest with a surprisingly icy touch Without realizing, he found himself in the alley where he first encountered Clara. The alley was derelict, the walls around him flaking and dusty.
A few stray cats, startled by his presence, scurried into a comer, their round eyes fixed on him, meowing plaintively, just like Clara back then Sheâd been comered by some thugs, desperately trying to escape, but she had run into a dead end.
And in her darkest moment, she saw him. Her eyes were moist with tears, and her face etched with fear. Her voice quivered as she pleaded for his help, âSave meâ The sound was so fragile that it pierced his heart with a searing pain.
He saved her, but he got stabbed in the thigh. Clara, watching his blood seep out, couldnât stop her tears. Strangely, in her eyes, he saw concem.
Standing deep in the alley, the memories stabbed at lanâs heart, making each breath feel like agony.
For three years, Clara loved him with all she had, but what about him?
He had not only hurt her deeply but also caused the death of their child.
He had called their relationship a fling of passion, not of the heart. He labeled her his sugar baby.
He told her he didnât want her anymore, tossing a check at her, telling her to vanish forever.
Recalling every word he had ever spoken, lan felt as if he was being torn apart from the inside. He wished he could slice off his own tongue.
Underneath the sky, a drizzle began to fall, with the icy raindrops landing on lanâs sharply defined face.
The next day, Clara descended the stairs to find lan standing there like a statue at the buildingâs entrance, soaked through. His clothes clung to his strong, upright frame. He stood there in the pouring rain, his gaze heavy with sorrow as he watched Clara.
She held his gaze for a few seconds before taking an umbrella and stepping into her car.
âClara,â his voice hoarse with desperation.
He hurried after her but was blocked by Ryker. âWhat are you doing? Havenât you caused Ms. Clara enough pain? Get lost.
Whatâs with the pretense of affection here? Ever heard the saying âthereâs no use crying over spilt milkâ?â
Ryker shoved lan aside and got into the car himself. lan chased after them, pounding on the passenger window, his eyes red as he stared at Clara.
âClara, please come back. Letâs start over, get married, and have as many kids as you want. Just come back, and Iâll agree to anything.â
Hearing these words, Claraâs eyes stung unbearably. How many children could she even hope for now?
She lowered the window, handing lan an umbrella, her voice flat. âlan, itâs too late. Whatâs lost can never be retrieved. Go home.â
With that, she raised the window and signaled to drive off.
Watching the car disappear from his sight, lanâs vision blurred. He couldnât tell if it was the rain or his tears. He turned vanishing from Claraâs world for good.
walked away, Just when Clara thought she could live in peace, her phone rang. It was Dawson. âAttorney Clara, Mr. Hayes has had an incident.â
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