Only Death Made Her See Love novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7 He Canceled It

"That sounds a little extreme, doesn't it?" Clarissa said, her tone flat, her brows pulled tight like she was really wrestling with the idea.

"Clare, you have to fight for what you want," Selina said softly. "Jonathan's a cruel man. If Gregory's in his hands, he's probably getting tortured right now. Can you really live with that?"

Oh, she could live with that just fine.

Yes, just fine indeed. Could she throw a party too? She hoped she could.

However, Clarissa kept her thoughts buried. On the surface, she looked hesitant, like she was caught in a tough decision. "Then... I guess I'll give it a shot."

Selina finally smiled. Clarissa, the same clueless girl, she thought. Still that stupid country nobody.

…

Downstairs, Frederick poured Penelope a drink and gently rubbed her shoulders.

"Honey, Clare's barely been back. She still feels like a stranger here. We've got to talk to her slow and steady. Can't rush it."

"I know," Penelope muttered with a sigh.

She knew they hadn't done right by the girl. She didn't even want to be mad anymore. But Clarissa never listened. She was always so defiant.

Still, after what just happened, maybe she was finally growing up. That brought a little peace to her chest.

Then, Selina came tearing down the stairs like the sky was falling.

"It's bad! Something really bad happened!

"Clare said she'd rather die than live without Gregory. After being dragged back, she lost it. She's upstairs now, trying to cut her wrists. I couldn't stop her!"

"What did you say?!"

Penelope and Frederick both turned pale. Penelope's hand jerked so hard the cup tipped, its contents splashing across her skin. A red patch spread across the back of her hand, but she didn't even flinch.

She shot up to her feet, voice shaking with fury. "That girl's lost her mind!"

They thought Clarissa was changing for the better. Without wasting another second, the two of them stormed up the stairs, faces tight with panic.

Selina followed quietly, a smug look tugging at the corner of her lips.

…

At the Jefferson residence, Jonathan hadn't slept at all. Not even a minute.

To think the day would come when a lady would look at Jonathan with nothing but contempt in her eyes and disdain in her soul.

Zack stood stiff beside him, fuming. "She's got no conscience, man. You covered her whole runaway mess, and now she's up there trying to kill herself? That's not heartbreak. That's a straight-up insult."

"Enough."

Jonathan's voice cut through the air like ice. Zack's jaw locked. He stepped back and didn't say another word.

Jonathan held out the pendant. His throat tightened as the words tried to claw their way out, but he forced them through.

"Bring this to the Chandlers." He paused, then added with finality, "Tell them the engagement's over."

He was the one ending it now.

She wanted to be free? Fine. He'd grant her wish.

"Yes, sir."

Zack took the pendant with both hands, and a smirk twitched at the corner of his mouth. Finally, Jonathan was cutting off the one disaster that had clung to his name like mud.

Time to erase the stain.