51. Jalen

I lifted Clarissa's hand and examined it closely. Her skin was red and I saw small scratches on her palm. I knew she had been feeling restless and anxious, and I couldn't help but worry for her.

Without a word, I got off the bed and made my way downstairs to grab the first aid kit. As I walked down the stairs, I saw my mother in the kitchen and decided to ask her if anything had happened to Clarissa.

"Mum, did anything happen to Clarissa?" I asked, trying to keep my tone calm and neutral.

She shrugged and said, "I don't know, you should ask her."

Anger rose within me. My mum had no right to make Clarissa uncomfortable.

"Mum, you need to take it easy on her. She's important to me and I love her," I warned her. "And you should be grateful to her for letting me mark her."

"I didn't do anything wrong," she denied with a pout. I huffed and made my way back upstairs to the room.

Once I returned, I applied the calamine lotion to Clarissa's hands and kissed her cheek. I closed the window, hop