Chapter 9 It’s Your Thing
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Clarissa’s question lit Selina’s face on fire.
Selina turned to Frederick and Penelope in a panic. “Dad, Mom, I really thought Clare was going to hurt herself. That’s why I ran to tell you. She’s your only daughter. I was terrified something might happen!
“I only mentioned Gregory because she’s always had feelings for him.” Her voice dropped as her eyes filled with tears. “I know I’m adopted, so I don’t really have the right to say anything. I just wanted to protect her…”
“Enough.”
Penelope gripped her hand tight. She hated hearing Selina call herself adopted. She had raised her as her own for more than ten years. Even after Clarissa came back, Selina had never been pushed aside.
The whole mistake at birth had hurt her, too.
“I’ve told you. Don’t say that word again. You’re my daughter and always have been.”
Selina lowered her head. Her eyes stayed red, and her whole face looked like she had just been slapped.
Penelope turned to Clarissa, and her voice snapped like a whip. It didn’t sound anything like how she had just spoken to Selina. “This whole mess today? It’s your fault. You’ve always been reckless. This isn’t the first time you’ve acted out like this. That’s why Selina thought you were serious about ending your life.
“Jonathan’s a good man. He’s got status, he’s got a clean name, and he’s still willing to marry you. What more do you want? You still can’t let go of Gregory?
“Why can’t you be more like Selina? She never gives me trouble.”
The more she spoke, the more upset she got. Frederick quickly pulled her toward the door, afraid she might say something
worse.
Clarissa sat on the bed, quiet. Her fingers moved slowly across the surface of the Keltic knot, but she said nothing.
As soon as their footsteps faded, Selina dropped the innocent act. Her eyes locked on Clarissa, and all the sweetness disappeared.
“Clare, what the hell was that? Didn’t you say you were going to go through with it? So, what happened?”
“I backed out.” Clarissa responded. She tossed the knot in the air and caught it again. “I didn’t want to cut myself. It’d hurt. I didn’t want Mom and Dad getting mad either.
“And then I thought, the Jeffersons are the top family in Imperia. Marrying Jonathan isn’t some loss. A bunch of women. would kill for that spot.”
Selina nearly choked on her own breath.
She clenched her fists to hide the fury building in her chest. “Even if you changed your mind last minute, why did you go and tell them I was trying to stir up trouble?”
“Because that’s exactly what you’ve been doing.” Clarissa smiled wide, but there was no warmth in it. “You know that’s true, Selina. You’ve always been stirring the pot.
“When I came back, Jonathan sat me down and laid it all out. He told me eloping without status or a name would’ve gotten me drowned in a cage if this were the old days.
“Why would I throw away my place as the Chandler heir just to run off with some guy? I was stupid. But you? You’re smart.”
Clarissa’s eyes narrowed like a blade. “You understood all that. And you still pushed me to run. You wanted me ruined.”
Selina’s heart dropped. She hadn’t expected Jonathan to say something like that to Clarissa. That bumpkin must’ve changed since she got back.
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Chapter 9 It’s Your Thing
That must have been why Clarissa had been acting different. Jonathan must’ve gotten to her.
And not only did he forgive her for trying to run, but he even protected her.
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Selina’s jaw tightened. She wanted to scream but forced a sweet voice through her teeth. “Clare, you really think I’d hurt you? You loved Gregory. I couldn’t stand watching you cry over him. That’s why I helped you run, even though I knew Mom and Dad would be furious. You think I’d take that kind of risk if I didn’t care?
“If they found out I helped you, I’d be kicked out of the Chandlers. I only did it because I was looking out for you.”
Clarissa didn’t move. Her face stayed calm. It was impossible to tell what she was really thinking. The silence dragged on until Selina started to fidget.
Then, Clarissa finally voiced her thoughts.
