at Clara in shock, convinced he hadn't h

process it

always following Robert, swallowing every humiliation but ref

the one choosing

e; she made her deci

inally come to your senses! I always told you Robert wasn't worth

bt about her real feelings. "Brad, don't pay attention to Clara's outburst. The Cooper family and us are just about to finalize the western

a meaningful lo

n't make a scene! Robert is such a perfect match for you. If you call things off, do you really think you'll find someone

vice, but Clara could tell

w about Clara's long

would only be the Jones family

hed Ramona and Emily working toget

m Robert, Ramona and Emily would corner her, talking endlessly about family obligations, public opi

a found it al

ving you and Robert what you've always wanted, aren't I? Or is it t

into one of hurt innocence. "Clara, how could you accuse me of something

being a stepmother is difficult, and I'm beginning to see why. Clara, yo

y accusation hid

ateful, unwilling to accept her stepmother and ste

ponse. "If you two can't talk res

st wanted

showed his love by providing, never really

er attack, he wouldn't h

ing off the engagement just to make trouble. I've thought it through. I know this puts our family in a difficult po

uggles. "If you're sure about this, I won't get in your way. Bu

are the best!" With that, she leaned against Br

ach one puzzled by how quickly things

de the house, and no one dared to mention

completely was not part

iber of her being, but exposin

amona to pay dearly for what she and her

their masks slowly, reveali

day, Clara rose e

f potion and laid out the tools s

ibly applied cosmetics, unveiling a

stored, she realized t

greeted Brad as he ate breakf

watched her leave, stunned by

.

ville University, Clara pau

he familiar threshold, and a

n't the helpless girl eve

r bullied her before would

keeping her composure, Clara