A Graduation Gift

Chapter 260 Past Memories (Part One)

"Courtney? What's wrong with Courtney?"

Clearly, Edith had no knowledge about Courtney's illness. Hence her reaction portrayed utter shock.

Comprehending this, Cassandra went forward and stroked her mother's arms. She wanted her mother to calm down. Eventually, she turned and brought her focus back to Whitney. In a low-pitched voice, she asked, "Auntie Whitney, I believe Cloris isn't aware of Courtney's illness, am I right?"

As she asked this, Cassandra broke into a cold-sweat. She was very intuitive and something told her a bad news was on its way. She sat looking at Whitney expectantly. In spite of her worry, she tried to look unruffled. She didn't want to heighten her mother's anxiety.

"Well, I believe that's a question Cloris should be answering,"

Whitney said in a detached voice. She turned to stare at Cloris who hadn't uttered a single word yet. In fact, ever since she came here, Cloris had been sitting still. For an outsider, she would have come across as mute.

"Cloris, what is going on? Would you just speak up for God's sake? I want you to tell me everything that you know!"

Edith demanded gruffly. Everyone present here was acting vague. She couldn't take it anymore and wanted an explanation.

But Cloris was unperturbed by her mother's screech. She didn't even bother to look up. Instead, she gritted her teeth and turned her head to avoid meeting her mother's gaze.

"Auntie Whitney, is it possible that there is some kind of misunderstanding? We have looked into Courtney's condition before. I am certain it has nothing to do with my sister!" Cassandra asserted.

Like Edith, Cassandra was beginning to lose her composure. When she saw her own sister's attitude, her fear intensified. She was afraid that Whitney might know something that they didn't know. 'Besides, why is Cloris hesitating to speak? From what I know, she is not the kind of person who wouldn't speak up for herself. Since she has taken the decision to keep her mouth shut, there must be something wrong. Does it mean that Auntie Whitney is right?' Cassandra's mind tried to reason.

But no matter what, Cassandra made up her mind to support her family. Cloris was her sister hence she would be on her side through thick and thin.

"Cassandra, I didn't come here to accuse anyone. After all, it's been a long time since this incident. All I ask for is Cloris's apology. I wish she would meet Courtney in person and ask for her forgiveness. This is the least she can do. Now do you think it is too much to ask? One apology will sort out this whole issue!"

Whitney said in a determined tone. She came here expecting an apology and didn't intend to go back without one. She raised her head and her eyes once again flitted over Cloris. A sorrowful look was depicted in her eyes.

"An apology? But for what?" demanded Cassandra.

The more Whitney spoke, the more puzzled she became. Now it was certain that something had happened between Courtney and Cloris. 'Why does she want Cloris to apologize to Courtney? And does it have anything to do with Courtney's illness?' Cassandra wondered.

"Auntie, I am sorry but I don't get you. Would you please care to explain?"

Now Cassandra sounded really puzzled. Whitney instantly understood this wasn't a pretense. On the other hand, Edith mirrored Cassandra's muddled look. In spite of this, Cloris didn't speak up or make an effort to wipe out her sister's and mother's confusion. She sat still, lost in her own thoughts.

Realizing Cloris wouldn't give an explanation, Whitney dug into her bag and took out a plain black notebook. Quickly, she placed it on the table in front of them.

"I visited our old house yesterday. This is something I found in Courtney's bedroom. Even since she was a kid, she had a habit of writing. I normally don't spy on her stuff, but I casually went through this one. That's how I discovered where the problem lies."

On the cover page of the diary, Courtney's name was written in a neat handwriting. In spite of being meticulous, one could easily tell it was a young child's handwriting. It seemed like the child had put a lot of effort into it.

Whitney laid her eyes on the diary for a moment before glancing at Cloris. Then she let out a helpless sigh.

"Cloris, I know this happened in the past. If I had to be completely honest, I didn't want to dig it up. But now that I have stumbled upon it, I don't have any choice. If you don't believe me then you should visit us and see Courtney's condition. You will understand that she is still fixated on it and hasn't moved on. I don't mean to put all the blame on you, that's not my intention. I just want you to meet her and apologize. I am a helpless mother who is willing to do anything in order to make my daughter better,"

Whitney said genuinely. Her words took Edith and Cassandra by surprise. If what Whitney said was true, then it meant Courtney's illness actually had something to do with Cloris.

However, Edith wasn't willing to do anything that would distress Cloris. Not matter what she did, her motherly heart was willing to safeguard her. So although this came as a shock, she was determined to intervene. This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.

"Whitney, as you can see, Cloris isn't willing to speak. How about let me go and comfort Courtney? Won't that be just as good?"

Edith asked, feigning smile. She couldn't allow Whitney to force her daughter into doing something she didn't want to do.

"Edith, I hope you understand I am not here to blame Cloris. But Courtney... Courtney is really in a very bad place right now. And watching her suffer breaks my heart!"

As soon as Whitney mentioned her daughter's illness, her eyes became red all over again. Everyone could tell she was on the verge of tears.

"Yeah, I understand you. I am a mother myself and I can feel your pain. But like you said, it happened in the past. My daughter Cloris is quite well-behaved and gentle. I am certain she wouldn't hurt anyone intentionally,"

Edith responded defensively. It was obvious that she was willing to do anything in order to protect Cloris. Even now she was searching for excuses to obscure her daughter's mistake. Whitney instantly understood her intention and lines of anger appeared on her face. She had come here in pursuit of a small favor but her pleas had fallen on deaf ears. Unable to take it anymore, she blurted out, "Edith, for your information, this issue is not just related to Cloris and Courtney. It has affected Cassandra's life too!"

Her tone was firm this time. With her unflinching eyes, she glared at Edith. A feeling of displease was etched on her face. It seemed like she couldn't believe how Edith could behave so crudely.

"Edith, I do realize Cloris is your beloved daughter. Time and again, you keep favoring her. But you have to think about Cassandra too. She is also your daughter. If it wasn't for Cloris's wrongdoing, Cassandra wouldn't have been left in a small town by you and Vernon for so many years!"

Her words suggested she knew the Qin family quite well. Not a lot of people knew that Cassandra was sent to a small town at a young age.

Hearing this, Cassandra was startled. 'What is Auntie Whitney trying to imply? Is she speaking the truth? Was I sent to the small town due to something that happened between Cloris and Courtney? What exactly had happened?' Cassandra wondered.

Now she was wracking her mind for answers. This was a riddle for which Cassandra couldn't find a solution. The more she thought, the more muddled she looked. A feeling of unease occupied her. She felt betrayed by the people she was surrounded with. 'These people are hiding something from me. But what are they concealing? And why are they keeping me in darkness?'