The Billionaire's True Heiress From Fake Jewel to Real Crown novel Chapter 349

When Cindy heard those words, her eyes filled with tears. “Yeah, Claire’s honestly amazing.” She had to admit it, even if it stung a little. “But Mom and Dad have never really put any pressure on me.” Even as she said it, she could feel her confidence waver. Was that really true? If they didn’t expect anything, why did they always bring up how great Claire was? It seemed like every time they mentioned Claire, it was pointed straight at the things she cared about most.

It wasn’t just her parents either. Relatives and family friends from the James family always found a way to mention Claire. She was that girl who never caused trouble and always made her parents proud. Almost every careless comment was really comparing the two of them. Did everyone secretly wish she was just like Claire?

“Really? No expectations at all?” Fallon pressed, clearly not convinced.

Cindy fell silent.

Fallon smiled gently and patted her head. “You don’t deserve to feel like this, Cindy. You’re a wonderful girl, and I’ve always been proud of you. I don’t ever want to see you get overshadowed by anyone. Especially someone who took your place for eighteen years.”

That hit Cindy hard, in the best way possible. “You’re the only one who really gets it.”

“I’ve watched you grow up. Of course I care about you. And yeah, it’s great that you’re back with your family, but if you’re not happy there, it’ll always worry me.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’m actually doing okay. My mom really loves me. She’s even argued with my dad over me, more than once,” Cindy said, trying to sound light. “I want to be the kind of daughter that makes them proud, I just—”

Fallon cut her off with a hug. “I know, Cindy. I really do.”

That warmth made Cindy’s heart ache in a sweet way. “You’re the best.”

Fallon gave her a teasing smile. “So who’s better, me or your mom?”

“Why are you filming them?” Claire couldn’t figure out what Shirley was up to.

Shirley barely looked away from her screen, still recording. “They just seem really close, that’s all. Did you even notice? Octavia and Cindy seem nice on the surface, but they’ve never actually looked this affectionate. I always thought Octavia was kind of fake—she acted that way with you too. She’s trying with Cindy, but it still doesn’t compare with how my mom treats me.”

Claire didn’t argue either way. “Maybe it’s just a blood thing… I mean, she’s not really my mom.”

Shirley nodded like that made perfect sense. “Sure, with you I get it. But with Cindy, it feels different. Like Octavia is trying to make up for something, but it’s not that natural mother-daughter thing. Not the way my mom is with me.”

Shirley knew she could always act up around her own mom if she wanted to, but she doubted Cindy would ever dare to do the same with Octavia.