Adopted by Scarlett Johansson

55.

'Hunter, I hate to say it but Jessica was really mean to Clara.' Took Colin to task for Scarlett, 'Yes, she even gave Clara ten euros so she could catch the bus.' Everyone turned around and in the doorway stood Rose. 'Rosie, how do you know?' Scarlett walked over to her daughter and she lifted her up. 'I was there and she told Clara.'

Everyone looked at Jessica. 'Not at all. Kids are coming up with crazier and crazier stories these days.' Laughed Jessica. 'She's lying mom.' Said Rose. She crossed her arms. 'Jessica is it true? Hunter looked at his friend questioningly. 'Maybe.' Jessica lowered her eyes.

'Why do you do such a thing?' Hunter asked. Hurt, he looked at her. 'She doesn't belong to this family. She's an orphan, Hunter. Orphans belong in the orphanage not with a rich family that has everything going for it.' She exclaimed in frustration.

'Sorry Jessica, but I don't think you belong with this family. I think it would be better if you left.' Said Hunter softly. Jessica her mouth fell open. 'What, after everything I've done for you? Hunter. She looked at him angrily. Hunter remained silent. 'I'll walk you to the exit.' Said Adrian. He escorted Jessica out of the kitchen.

'Rosie, where did Clara go?' Asked Scarlett, 'I don't know. I just know she left.' Answered Rose. 'No worries Scar. We'll all grab a car and go find her.' Said Karsten. 'Good plan. If we all go in a different direction we'll have found her in no time.' Said Colin.

Groups were made and everyone left to look for Clara. Only Melanie stayed behind at the cottage with the children and Adrian waited until Jessica had packed her bags.

Colin and Scarlett got into the car together. Colin got behind the wheel and Scarlett in the passenger seat. 'Drive on Col. She could be far away by now.' Said Scarlett, 'Yeah well I'll do my best babe.' Replied Colin. 'I know. Sorry, I'm just stressed. I can't believe that that Jessica gave her ten euros to buy a bus ticket.' Exclaimed Scarlett.

'Thank goodness your brother dumped her.' Said Colin. 'Well I didn't find it very convincing though. As soon as all this stuff is over I'm going to talk to him.' Decided Scarlett 'Yes save that conversation for later because the most important thing now is to find Clara.'

'Where could she be? She's not answering her phone, she's not reading her messages.' Frustrated, Scarlett looked out the window. 'If she took the bus she could be anywhere.' Said Colin. 'Where would Clara go?' Scarlett wondered aloud. 'Lizzie? Chris? Thought Colin. Scarlett shook her head. 'Lizzie is with her husband at her in-laws and Clara doesn't know where Chris lives.'

'Hmm.' Colin and Scarlett drove along a remote road. 'Is it snowing now?" asked Scarlett, 'No idea. I can't see it very well because of the dark. It looks like it though.' Answered Colin. 'We really need to find Clara soon. It's much too cold to be wandering around alone.'

'Colin, there's someone walking there.' Scarlett pointed to the meadow beside the road. 'Is that Clara?' Colin asked. He put the car by the side of the road. 'I'm getting out.' Said Scarlett, 'Take care.' Scarlett undid her seatbelt and she got out of the car.

'Clara! She called out. Startled, Clara looked back and when she saw Scarlett she ran. She ran further and further into the meadow. Scarlett followed her and Colin drove the car around. Scarlett had trouble keeping up with Clara because Clara was running as fast as she could.

After a few minutes, Clara arrived at the other side of the meadow. There was a very high fence. Clara scowled and she put her foot on the fence. Carefully she put her other foot on it too but her left foot slipped causing her to land on the ground again.

She looked back and she saw that Scarlett was almost at her. She made another attempt and she put her foot on the fence again. She didn't want to go with Colin and Scarlett. She wanted to be free. She wanted to be alone. She wanted to explore the world on her own. She never wanted to see Jessica again.

'Clara, stay here.' Scarlett had arrived at the fence and gently pulled on Clara's arm. 'Let go of me!' Squealed Clara. 'No, not until you're quiet.' Scarlett lifted Clara off the fence and Clara tried to pull free from Scarlett's hold.

'I don't want to come with you. Let me go.' Wildly Clara wrapped her arms around her but Scarlett wouldn't let go. 'Clara, calm down. It's just me. It's okay.' Scarlett tried to reassure Clara but she was so upset she didn't understand a thing.

Angry, Clara tried to knock Scarlett off her but Scarlett held her so tightly that after five long minutes of fighting, she had to give in. Clara cried in Scarlett's arms. 'It's okay sweetheart. I'm here now. Scarlett rubbed her back. 'It's going to be all right.' Scarlett whispered. Clara cried. 'Everything is ruined. Better let me go.' She sobbed.

'Absolutely not. You don't have to worry about anything anymore. Jessica is gone. Rose told us everything.' Said Scarlett, "What? With tearful eyes, Clara looked at Scarlett, 'Why did Rose say it? She promised to keep her mouth shut.'

'It had to be from me. You shouldn't blame Rose for this. She said it because I asked.' Replied Scarlett, 'But why did you ask?' Questioningly, Clara looked at her. 'Because I don't want you walking the streets alone so late. I want you to be with us, to be happy.' Said Scarlett, 'I'm not happy and I'm never going to be here.'