"Later, my health got pretty bad, so I had to leave my job. Once I got better, I started teaching at a school."
"We lost touch after that."
"Just recently, I ran into your dad again at a friend's gathering. That's when he mentioned you needed some study materials.”
Fallon kept her explanation about her connection with Latham short and to the point.
For some reason, Cindy felt a little disappointed. "If you hadn't quit, Godmother, do you think my parents would have found me earlier? Maybe they would have taken me home?"
Fallon shook her head. "Life doesn't really work like that. If I had stayed at the company, I probably never would have gone to teach—and I might not have ever known you."
"We don't know what would have happened if we hadn't met," she added, her voice gentle.
Cindy let herself relax a bit, realizing how silly her thoughts were. "You're right. I'm actually happier having you in my life anyway."
Fallon had been the only warmth in her childhood.
"So, does that mean I'm even more important than your mom and dad?" Fallon teased, a playful glint in her eyes.
Cindy answered completely seriously, "You're the light in my life, Godmother. I could live without my parents, but I couldn't go on without you."
Fallon couldn't help but laugh at that. Her laughter made Cindy feel a little uneasy— she couldn't tell if Fallon was happy or just didn't believe her.
"Cindy, you're also a light in my life. After I lost my own child, you became my only hope," Fallon said softly.
Cindy froze for a moment.
She knew Fallon once had a child of her own. She'd loved that child's father with all her heart, but he betrayed Fallon, and the baby was gone, too.
Since then, Fallon had never married again.
That made Cindy's heart ache for her Godmother even more. She couldn't help but resent the man who had hurt Fallon so badly.
She wondered what kind of person Fallon had loved so much, and what kind of man could abandon her like that.
"Don't worry. I'll always be good to you," Cindy promised, her eyes earnest.
Fallon just smiled, as if she'd heard these words a thousand times. It was sweet, but she didn't take it to heart.
After all, if Cindy ever learned the whole truth, she'd probably end up hating her.
Wait, was it really her fault anyway? Wasn't Latham the real reason everything happened?
If he couldn't control himself, he shouldn't have gotten involved with so many
women.
If he did, he should own up to it.
Guys like Latham didn't deserve to be fathers.
"Alright, Cindy. Hearing you say that makes it all worth it."
"You should get some sleep now. If your exams don't go well, there's always next year. You don't have to measure up to Claire. In my
you'll always be the best."
Cindy knew Fallon was just trying to make feel better, but hearing so
plaine
that she'd never be as good sharp as a knife.
ase stift
Maybe everyone saw her as second best.
She couldn't figure out what it was about Claire that made people so obsessed. She wondered how amazing Claire's reat parents must be for her to be so smart.
Still, Cindy knew deep down that Claire had only gotten so far because she'd taken Cindy's own opportunities.
There was jealousy, but even more, a kind of bitterness that never quite went away.
The next morning, when she headed out to school, Claire got stopped right outside the neighborhood gate by Octavia.
"Octavia, what are you doing here?" Claire asked.
Octavia looked exhausted, with dark circles under her eyes, nothing like her usual perfectly put-together self.
"How do you even know about Fallon?" Octavia demanded, staring at Claire with clear suspicion.