Marry My Billionaire Second Husband - Chapter 260

Chapter 260: Teenage Love
Amelia’s breath hitched in her throat as her eyes fell on the one name written in her mother’s penmanship. She gulped, blinking as she tried her best to convince herself she was just overthinking things.

After all, it was a common name, and her mother didn’t mention what her last name was. In fact, Elaine had even mentioned in the diary entry that she wasn’t sure if the name was even right!

But this was quickly confirmed― Elaine had gotten the name right. It appeared again and again, coming up frequently as the entries progressed. It seemed like in their teenage years, Elaine and Benjamin were tightly knitted siblings, at least enough for Elaine to pay so much attention to her brother’s behavior in school.

Amelia quickly flipped to the starting pages. She had skipped a few entries, originally choosing to read them at random, but now, she needed to find when and where this girl first appeared. Then, she found it.

‘1st September 19XX

There’s a new girl at school today and Benjamin was absolutely smitten at first glance. The teacher introduced her as a transfer student here on scholarship― lucky her too. Most of the other middle-class folk could work all their lives and never be offered a chance to study here or send their kids to Valemont Academy. I wonder how she managed to get in.

Either way, she didn’t seem too friendly, though she looked more scared than proud like the rest of the girls. Here’s to hoping she survives the final school year. Good luck, Catherine Laine.’

“Matteo,” Amelia slowly said, “how much do you know about your stepmother?”

“Not much…” Matteo said hesitantly, reading the entry alongside Amelia. He felt a cold shiver run down his spine as his brain registered the familiar name.

Catherine Laine― the demoness that lived in his childhood home and claimed his family for herself.

“She met my father shortly before my mother passed,” Matteo said. “If my memory serves me correctly, it was at a charity gala. She was working there as one of the staff members. Shortly after, she started working in our home as a maid, and that was when my father’s affair with her started.”

Amelia pursed her lips together tightly before flipping furiously through the pages. She found another entry quickly near the end of the journal and began to read.

’15 December 19XX

I am worried for Benjamin. School will be released soon for the Christmas Holidays. He plans on bringing Catherine home to see Dad. Knowing him, Dad won’t be too happy about it. Good on Benjamin for standing up to Dad’s old ways, truly, but I just know this will not end in a happy Christmas if that’s the case. Dad can be rather… dramatic. I don’t understand why he sees the need to care about our love lives.

I’m not sure if I should tell Benjamin that Dad already has someone else in mind for him. Their relationship is only two months in― he can still cut it off now lest he face worse heartbreak later on. Selfishly, I hope he doesn’t.’

“Your uncle would’ve brought Catherine home for Horace to meet,” Matteo said. “Which…”

“Will end in disaster,” Amelia finished for him. She flipped a few more pages down.

’25 December 19XX

I was right. Dad flipped out after Benjamin showed up with Catherine. Benjamin didn’t know, but Dad had already invited the woman he wanted Benjamin to marry to join us for dinner. It was supposed to be their first meeting, but with Benjamin’s actual girlfriend present, things got understandably messy. I don’t think Annalise even met Catherine― Dad didn’t even allow her into the house. Maybe it’s better this way.

Needless to say, Benjamin wasn’t thrilled. He ignored Annalise and returned to his room right after. It was such an awkward dinner, but at least Annalise was alright. She was shy, but frankly, she didn’t seem very nice either. Maybe her mood was ruined by Benjamin’s atrocious attitude. I can’t imagine being in her position, having to marry a man that hates my guts. I sort of pity her.’

“Annalise and Catherine are pretty good friends,” Matteo noted. “This explains why Annalise never suspected Catherine.”

Amelia nodded. “They never had the chance to meet.”

‘7 January 19XX

The teachers announced that Catherine had withdrawn from the scholarship program and changed schools. It was just in time because Annalise is now studying at Valemont Academy. She’s been assigned to the same class as us, and Benjamin is a lot quieter than before. I’m sure he misses Catherine even though he would never admit it.

I doubt Dad is innocent. He must’ve done something so that Catherine would be transferred away. I hope Benjamin isn’t blind enough to not realize. I wonder if he will actually agree to marry Annalise. Even if he probably didn’t love Catherine as much, considering their short relationship, Benjamin’s pride wouldn’t allow it.’

“Catherine merely studied there for three months before she transferred away?” Amelia said, looking up in disbelief.

“That would explain why your mother had to elope with your father,” Matteo said. “She witnessed firsthand what would happen if she brought someone born outside of the circle home. With Benjamin Hawthorne as a prime example, the only thing she could do was to run away.”

“And my uncle eventually married Annalise,” Amelia mumbled under her breath. “To have a child born despite being in a loveless marriage― that would explain why Annalise babies over Emmeline so much. Emmeline is the only thing tying her to this family and to her husband. Of course she would treat Emmeline like a lifeline!”

Matteo folded his arms across his chest. “Only, Emmeline isn’t even her daughter,” he said.

He then looked pointedly at the diary, his eyes squinting. Slowly, his arms unfolded and dropped back down to his sides, his expression turning serious.

“Catherine offered to donate her blood when Emmeline needed a transfusion,” Matteo said.

He looked at Amelia, and at the same time, her eyes widened as she caught onto Matteo’s train of thought.

“What did Catherine say her blood type was again?”