Chapter 9 It's Your Thing +5 Free Coins 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 . 1/2 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 . +5 Free Coins 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 .