Chapter 304


    ra''s eyes fluttered open to the cloak of night that had settled outside her window. Her senses


    were still tinged with the phantom scent of Ian, his voice a lingering whisper in her mind.


    She had even dreamed of their lips meeting in a tender kiss. Her longing was so intense that it


    conjured such vivid dreams.


    The sound of firecrackers echoed from afar, followed by the brilliant dance of fireworks painting the


    sky. The spirit of New Year''s Eve grew stronger by the minute. And with it, ra''s yearning for Ian,


    a yearning so profound it manifested as a dull ache in her chest.


    She couldn''t help but ce her hands on her belly, whispering a silent promise to the life within.


    "Baby, once you''re safely here, we''ll celebrate the New Year with Daddy, okay?"


    As Ian rounded the corner, he caught the shimmer of unshed tears in ra''s half-lit eyes. The tears


    amassed, eventually cascading down her cheeks.


    He knelt beside her, his cool fingertips gently wiping away the moisture, his voice a soft caress of


    concern. "ra, why are you crying? Have you been missing me?"


    At the sound of his voice, ra''s eyes snapped open, her gaze crashing into the intense warmth of


    Ian''s own.


    Her heart contracted sharply. She could barely manage a hoarse whisper, "Ian."


    His hand stroked her cheek as he spoke in a husky tone, "Yeah, I''m here. I''vee to spend the


    holidays with you."


    ra jolted upright on the sofa as if electrified. Staring at Ian, she stammered, "You—when did you


    get here?"


    Only then did she notice Ian''s coat draped over her shoulders. Had that kiss been a dream, or had it


    happened for real?


    Reading her thoughts from the confusion in her eyes, Ian chuckled softly, "I''ve been here for a


    while, been busy in the kitchen with your Dad, preparing the feast. What''s with the blush? Don''t tell


    me you were dreaming of something... naughty with me?"


    "No!" ra''s denial came swiftly, too swiftly, as she feared giving anything away. Her demeanor


    turned frosty in an instant. "We''re no longer together, Ian. Besides, it''s New Year''s Eve. You should


    be with your own family, not here."


    Ian massaged her head gently. "Grandma Rose took the family on a trip and left me to hold down


    the fort. If you send me away, I''ll be all alone for the holidays. Doesn''t that make you feel a bit sorry


    for me? My family doesn''t need me, and neither do you?"


    "Why didn''t you go with them?"


    Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "You know how hectic it gets at the end of the year at thepany. Without you, the brilliant and


    capable attorney, to help me, I''ve been swamped. I even missed lunch today. Your Dad felt sorry for


    me and asked me to stay and celebrate." Ian yed the sympathy card like a maestro, with even


    his eyes pleading forpassion.


    ra''s heart couldn''t help but soften a little. Her eyshes fluttered, "Stay for dinner, then leave,


    okay? I don''t want any misunderstandings, like we''ve reconciled. It''s the holidays. I don''t want any


    trouble."


    "ra." Ian grasped her hand, his voice low and earnest. "If I promise to protect you and those


    around you, would you considering back to me?"


    ra met his gaze with clear eyes. "How can you protect me? Like a bodyguard, 24/7? Ian, have


    you considered the dangers I''ve faced these past six months? I lost our child without us even


    knowing, was cornered by Victoria at thepany''s anniversary, nearly lost my life to a strong


    aphrodisiac, almost got crushed by a champagne tower at a friend''s wedding, and had acid thrown


    at me during a veterinary visit. My father was kidnapped, and Grandpa Reed died because of


    inflicted stress... All of this, evidence or not, seems connected to your mother and Heidi."