Chapter 391

Claire just shrugged.

“People can pick whoever they want,” she said.

Rose’s family was always looking for ways to cozy up to the James family, hoping for some kind of benefit. Naturally, that meant they had to suck up to the James family’s heiress. Now that everyone knew Cindy was the real daughter, Rose switching sides only made sense.

Sophia scoffed. “Honestly, I’ve never seen anyone change so fast. What a fair- weather friend.” She sounded more upset than Claire felt.

Claire didn’t really care. She had never liked girls like Rose anyway-one way to your face, completely different behind your back. Anytime they hung out, Rose only seemed interested in checking out Claire’s clothes, jewelry, handbags… all in that not-so-subtle way. Even though Claire never gave in to her, being around Rose was just uncomfortable.

“To be honest, having you as my friend is more than enough,” Claire said, smiling as she tried to cheer Sophia up.

Sophia’s frown melted away. “Well, obviously! I’m worth at least two of her.” Sophia flashed her a mock-proud grin. “Who needs Rose p>

“Come on,” Claire said, “let’s go eat p>

Even though the school didn’t punish Cindy, everyone kept shooting her sideways glances. Honestly, Claire didn’t need to do anything-Cindy was already paying the price just being there.

People were talking about Claire too, but she always kept her head up. After a while, everyone came to see she hadn’t really done anything wrong anyway.

Why should she be expected to forgive Molly, after all the things Molly had said? No one had the right to ask that of her.

People had always kept their distance because of Claire’s background, so nothing had really changed.

No one bothered her at school. It didn’t matter if she didn’t get a dorm; she could still go to her apartment right across from campus and catch a nap at lunchtime.

Sophia thought that was a great idea and started hanging out too, claiming a spot beside Claire as her official nap buddy.

Cicely, Sophia’s mom, thought it was a little awkward and tried to get Sophia to head home, but Sophia wouldn’t hear it. Claire didn’t mind, so Sophia stayed.

They didn’t share a bed-Claire

wasn’t comfortable with that-so Sophia sprawled out on the futon in the study. Luckily, there was one teady it wasn’t as nice as Claire’s big bed, but still better than hanging around in a cold, empty classroom.

With schoolwork piling up, the whole atmosphere at the James house felt tense.

Cindy couldn’t focus on anything. She spent most days at home crying.

Meanwhile, Lance was distracted too, replaying his father’s words over and over. He never expected his dad to suggest he make the first move with Claire.

You didn’t have to be related by blood to bring someone into the James family. There was another way.

Marry her.

Of course, Lance knew it was all about Hearth & Kettle for his dad, but he couldn’t stop thinking about it. The more he thought about Claire, the more he wanted her.

Especially now that Cindy wanted an apartment across from campus, just like Claire. Lance took advantage of this and handed over the keys to his own place so Cindy could claim it as her own.

“Cindy, you should still come home

to sleep at night. It’s more

comfortable than Lance’s apartment, for sure,” Octavia

insisted as she helped her daughter. settlem To Mer, the apartment w just for midday näps; having her daughter stay alone overnight was a different story.

Cindy didn’t seem to care either way. She squeezed her mom’s arm and looked around, her mind drifting back to something Fallon had once said.

“Cindy, do your parents treat you well? They should be making it up to you, since you didn’t grow up in the James family Fallon had said. “If it were my daughter, I give her the world and make her feel like a real princess p>

Cindy looked up at her mother.

“Mom… Do you think I could ever have a place of my own p>