Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Showing Off
Yara Quincy stared at her face, unwilling to look away.
’If only she were Quinn...’
This kind of gaze wasn’t unfamiliar. Claire Sinclair disliked being stared at like this and interrupted, "What did my sister used to call you?"
"Yara."
"Yara..." Claire Sinclair murmured her name softly.
It was as if an old memory had been awakened in Yara Quincy. Ripples spread through her heart, only to be washed away by a wave of immense sorrow as she blurted out—
"Forget it. Don’t say my name. It just reminds me that Quinn is dead, and I’d just barely managed to pull myself out of my grief."
It had been so hard to smooth over the wound, only for the scar to be ripped open today by this identical-looking person. Anyone in her shoes would have felt awful.
Without a doubt, those words wounded Claire Sinclair’s heart.
’In the end, I’m not my sister. Anyone who knew her can tell.’
"I’m going to go in and see Grandpa."
Saying that, Claire Sinclair tried to slip away.
Yara Quincy stopped her. "Grandpa’s already asleep. Don’t go in and disturb him."
"Alright then. When he wakes up, please tell him I came by. I’m heading back now. Thank you."
Claire Sinclair left without looking back, not wanting anyone to see the discomfort in her eyes.
Yara Quincy stared at her departing figure, the sorrow in her heart lingering.
...
Claire Sinclair took the elevator to the first floor. As she stepped out, two familiar figures walked toward her.
It was the mother-daughter duo of Mrs. Lowell and Melanie Sinclair—her stepmother and stepsister.
Mrs. Lowell was like a stepmother straight out of a novel. While not overtly wicked, she was the textbook definition of favoritism, protecting only her biological daughter. Whenever a good opportunity arose, she would fight for it exclusively for Melanie, never giving a thought to Claire Sinclair.
Because of this, Claire Sinclair had no fond feelings for Mrs. Lowell.
However, after learning about the whole mess between Melanie Sinclair and Logan Linden, Claire Sinclair’s disgust for Melanie naturally extended to her mother.
’What kind of mother raises a daughter like that? She can’t be any good—just as disgusting.’
Mrs. Lowell shot Claire Sinclair a cold glance, not even bothering with a greeting.
Melanie Sinclair usually gave Claire Sinclair the cold shoulder as well, but today she spoke up, which was unusual. "Mom, go wait in line to register for me. I have something I want to say to my sister."
"What is there to say to her? Don’t waste your time."
"Mom, please go? Pretty please?"
Mrs. Lowell couldn’t resist when her daughter whined, so she went to wait in the registration line.
The moment Mrs. Lowell turned around, Claire Sinclair acted as if she’d seen nothing and turned to leave as well.
’Heh. As if I was begging that mother-daughter pair to talk to me. I don’t know where they get the nerve.’
Seeing her leave without a word, Melanie Sinclair hurried after her. "Sister, wait! I have something to tell you."
Claire Sinclair didn’t stop. She kept walking toward the exit and said, "I’m in a hurry. If you have something to say, say it quick."
"I’m pregnant, you know," Melanie Sinclair said bluntly.
The words struck Claire Sinclair like a blow to the head. She spun around to face her. "What did you say?"
"Heh... I’m pregnant," Melanie Sinclair said with a smug smile.
She sounded as if she were declaring victory in a competition, her tone arrogant.
’Now that Brother Linden has been arrested, and Mom has already pulled some strings to save him, the self-proclaimed righteous Claire Sinclair has chosen to just stand by and watch him burn.’
Melanie Sinclair believed this was the perfect time for a showdown with Claire Sinclair.
’Once Claire Sinclair finds out about my relationship with Brother Linden, she’s sure to be even colder toward him.’
’Then, when Brother Linden gets out safe and sound, I’ll just spin the story a little, and he’ll naturally kick that little bitch to the curb.’