Chapter 187
Even Molly probably never imagined Octavia would use her excuse so soon, and right to Claire’s face at that.
Claire motioned for Valeria to stay quiet and kept up the act with Octavia over the phone.
“Really? Cindy seems totally normal to me. She doesn’t look like she’s depressed,” Claire said, trying her best to sound genuinely concerned.
Octavia let out a heavy sigh. “Cindy’s just sensitive. She overthinks everything p>
“You two are sisters, after all. Your grandma practically raised Cindy herself. If anything happened to her, your grandma would be heartbroken p>
“I just hope you can talk to her, help her see things differently p>
“Are you free tonight? Come home for dinner. Finals are over, let’s celebrate a little. I’ll make something nice for you girls p>
“And what about this winter camp? Why haven’t you told us you got in? Why keep it from your mom and dad p>
“Thank you, Octavia.” With just those words, Claire shut down any attempt Octavia had to tug at her feelings.
“Claire, why are you acting so distant?” Octavia sounded a little hurt, but she quickly tried to brush it off.
“If that’s how you want to call me, then fine p>
“As long as we see you as our daughter, and you see us as your real parents, that’s enough p>
“If you’d told us about the winter camp sooner, we could have thrown you a party p>
“We wouldn’t need to invite all our relatives, just your friends. The house is big, there’s staff around, you could do whatever you want. Your uncle and I could even go out and give you the place p>
Octavia really knew how to smooth things over for herself, changing her attitude in a heartbeat.
Claire actually felt a little more at ease hearing that.
“Thanks, but I don’t think there’s any need to invite everyone over and make it a big deal p>
“Getting into the camp has already made some people jealous. I’d rather not show off p>
Whether Claire meant anything extra by that was up to the listener.
Octavia didn’t like how that sounded.
If Cindy had been the one who made it into winter camp, she’d have been over the moon, throwing a huge party at home without a second.. thought.
Why did it have to be Claire?
To her, Claire was just an ungrateful brat.
“You’re right, we can wait until your early admission comes through to celebrate,” Octavia said, quickly switching tones.
“I’ll have Lance pick up you and Cindy tonight. Come home for dinner and we’ll celebrate, just us. It’s settled p>
Octavia didn’t leave any room for Claire to say no.
After the call ended, Claire glanced over and winked at Valeria.
Valeria looked irritated. “Seriously, who does she think she is? She doesn’t deserve to be anyone’s mom p>
“She raised you for eighteen years, but she acts like your relationship means nothing p>
“All for her own daughter… do you think she’s actually going to try and talk you out of the winter camp p>
When Lance found out he was supposed to bring both of his sisters home for dinner, he clocked out early.
Claire
She stick around at school.
went shopping with Valeria
instead. Finals were done there was nothing keeping her there.
When Lance came to pick up Cindy he didn’t see Claire anywhere. I kept looking around, craning neck, which only annoyed Cindy.
“Lance, what are you looking for p>
“Cindy, have you seen Claire? I thought we were all supposed to go home for
dinner. Where is she p>
“Does she not even want to come back p>
As soon as Lance mentioned Claire, Cindy’s face soured.
She couldn’t help feeling like she’d always be stuck in Claire’s shadow.