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.