Octavia frowned. "Why did you switch them out? You really should try to save some money. Even if you got twenty million from selling that agarwood pillow, money can disappear before you know it."
Mentioning the agarwood pillow instantly hit a nerve with Cindy. She felt like that money belonged to her. Honestly, looking at this apartment, she thought it should be hers too. Yeah, her mom had already given her a place, but who ever thinks they have too many homes?
Octavia, wanting to make up for things, had actually gone behind everyone's back and bought Cindy a downtown apartment-two thousand square feet, all open and bright. It was a serious gift. Still, Cindy never felt satisfied, not when she kept comparing herself to Claire. What Cindy didn't know was that in the eighteen years Claire lived with the James family, Octavia had never once considered getting her anything like a house. Unless Claire's real identity stayed hidden all the way through her wedding, Octavia would never have given her anything truly valuable. If marriage came into play, it wouldn't be for Claire's sake. The James family would have to give wedding gifts just to save face in front of everyone else.
That's why Claire always said Octavia never really treated her like her own daughter. You could see the difference just by watching how she acted with Claire and Cindy.
Claire didn't care in the slightest that Cindy was eyeing her apartment. She looked straight at Octavia. "Money comes and goes. I can always earn more."
"I'm just not used to using things that belonged to someone else," she added, matter-of-factly.
That preference had been shaped by her whole life so far. Leaning back, Octavia wanted to argue, but the words stuck in her throat. She let it go. Cindy, on the other hand, looked hurt. If Claire didn't like using secondhand things, then did she ever sleep in that room Cindy used to have out in the countryside? What about all the stuff Cindy used to use-did Claire throw them out? No wonder she even sold her old pillow. People who grew up always having enough could say things like that.
Still, Cindy had always held onto things Claire left behind. The piano and other instruments, even the clothes Claire bought but never touched—she kept them all. Should she just ask her mom to toss those out too?
"It's easy to go from simple living to luxury, but really hard to go back the other way, Octavia sighed. She
knew exactly how Claire's habits had formed. Maybe she hadn't been the best to Claire, but as the James family's heiress, Claire needed to look the part, so Octavia had always made sure she had the best of everything. Claire had always had the best resources. That was how she and Cindy turned out as different as night and day. The thought made Octavia feel guilty all over again.
"Yeah, that's why I haven't bought a mansion. Just a little apartment for now,” Claire said, meeting her mom's eyes and giving a relaxed shrug. "When I get into college in Cabinda, I'll need a place there too."
Octavia caught that right away. Claire was sure she was heading to Cabinda for university. "Did you start looking at places there already?"
"I have, but Cabinda's prices are crazy high. I can't really swing it right now."
Octavia's mind was already running. If Claire needed help with a down payment, their family could chip in as long as she gave up her earl admission spot. That wasn't conversation to have now. She'd
have to think it through.
"You look tired. Just get some rest here for a while. I'll take Cindy home for now. Don't forget about dinner later, though."
Their relationship had always been a little awkward, even when everyone thought they were really mother and daughter. Octavia honestly couldn't think of anything else to say. Claire nodded. She did need somerest, obvious
and it wachirley felt
awkward with Octavia hanging around.
After Octavia and Cindy left, Shirley visibly relaxed and let out a huge sigh.
"I don't know why, but every time I see Octavia, I get so tense. Used to feel the exact same way whenever I had to go over to the Latham house."