Chapter 191

“Cindy isn’t like you.” Octavia’s words left no room for argument.

Claire leaned back, her eyes half-closed, a faint, almost mocking smile on her lips. “You’re right, Cindy and I are nothing alike. I’m not your real daughter, but Cindy is. You were always so demanding with me, so strict. I knew our relationship wasn’t like other mothers and daughters. I just didn’t understand why until everyone found out about the switch p>

Octavia felt her heart skip, dread creeping in, but she kept her face calm.

“Of course you could never truly care about a daughter who isn’t your own. I was just something for you to show off. Isn’t that right, Octavia p>

For a moment, Octavia nearly lost her composure, but she was quick to recover. She put on a look of hurt, her voice softening.

“Claire, you can say I overlooked you after Cindy came home. But to say I was harsh because you weren’t my blood… What does that even mean? I only learned the truth when Lance brought Cindy back. If I’d known all along, why would I have treated you so well? I bought you clothes and shoes, I never missed a birthday. Did you ever go hungry or cold p>

Claire met her eyes, steady and unflinching. “Are you sure about that p>

Octavia’s expression soured. “So what, you’re still holding a grudge? Just because I was busy and your grandma took you to the countryside for a while p>

“That was never why,” Claire said quietly. “Honestly, those days with Grandma were the happiest of my life. I actually hated coming back to the James family. None of you really cared about me, not as a person. You only cared what could accomplish. My grades, my piano trophies, those were the things you and Latham loved to show off. The moment I wasn’t perfect, you both gave me the cold shoulder. Did you ever treat Lance that way p>

Octavia thought back. When Claire was little, that was how it went. Claire was gifted, so she and Latham just expected her to be the best. Whenever she slipped, little, they’d show their

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disappointment. Was Claire really old enough to remember all that? She’s so ungrateful, Octavia thought. She only remembers the bad things, never all the nice things she had growing up.

“Was it really the best?” Claire’s voice cut through Octavia’s thoughts. “You gave Lance the best of everything. For me, you only bought the nice things if other people would see them. Otherwise, you cut corners wherever you could. My allowance wasn’t even as much as Shirley’s p>

Octavia’s face twisted. “What’s that supposed to mean? We gave you more than enough allowance, and you still complain? You just don’t know how good you had it. And what about your grandmother? Do you know how Cindy grew up? With that attitude, maybe I shouldn’t have bothered being nice to you at all p>

“You’re right about one thing,” Claire said, her tone suddenly lighter. “You did make sure I was fed and clothed, and you hired all those tutors for me. That’s why I am who I am now She paused her eyes finally softening. “So guess should thank you. Thanks for taking me home back then, even if you already knew I wasn’t your real daughter p>