Chapter 230 Her Graduation Product Is Called ‘Dream’
Cameron and Bill had graduated from St York University in the same year, but when they graduated, Bill received a doctorate, while Cameron received a master’s degree. They were fellow students in the same course, and they made a great team in terms of fashion designing.
The graduation project that Courtney had brought for Cameron was the one that she and Bill had designed together.
When Courtney went to visit Cameron, Cameron’s mental state was much better than before and her mind was clear. She was aware of who she was, and she knew who Courtney was too. Her emotional state was no different from the average person’s, and she even went to the kitchen with great enthusiasm to make a salad.
However, her excitement made Courtney distressed.
This was by no means a sign of improvement, but rather an indication of deterioration.
Cameron mentioned in her notes that if she was overly friendly or enthusiastic after her relapse, it was definitely not a good thing. That kind of flattery was a product of suppressing her emotions, and it stemmed from her last will to survive. It forced her to please everyone around her as if she was holding on to her last anchor in life.
“You don’t seem well,” Courtney hinted while looking at Gale, who was opposite from her.
“Why do you say that? I feel rather great.” Gale had just returned from her shop not long ago, so he was still wearing the same outfit from before. He had taken his jacket off, revealing a clean white shirt underneath.
There were obvious dark circles under his eyes, and the lights shining down accentuated them.
Whenever he was with Cameron, Gale would appear energetic. Conversely, once he was out of her sight, he wouldn’t be able to mask the exhaustion that emanated off him.
In fact, Courtney reckoned that it was a miracle that this pampered young master could persist for so long.
“Both you and Cameron don’t seem to be in very good states,” Courtney said truthfully. “I still think that we should send Cameron to a professional institution to receive treatment.”
“That’s not happening. I’ve checked out all sorts of mental institutions and rehabilitation centers in Melrose City, and none of those places are suitable for a patient’s recovery. Any sane person who goes in there would walk out a psychopath.” Gale refused flatly, giving her suggestion zero consideration.
Courtney remained composed. “All of the local institutions are like that, but I’m not talking about those. I’m talking about those in America. As Cameron’s best friend, I think that it’s best for her to receive treatment there.”
“Is this Elijah’s arrangement?”
Courtney frowned, but she didn’t deny it.
“Is he crazy?” Gale turned emotional all of a sudden. “Are there no other women in America? Does he have too much time on his hands? Why did he have to come to Melrose City? First, he stirred up trouble between you and Alexander, and now he wants to separate Cam and me?”
“Gale.” Courtney’s tone was sharp, and she looked rather upset. “Be mindful of what you say. Elijah is one of the few friends Cameron has. He doesn’t have any other intentions toward her; I can guarantee this. He’s just kindly helping out a friend. He’s not as nasty as you say he is.”
Gale’s face darkened, and a tinge of hostility appeared in his eyes. “Consider me nasty, then. I will never agree to let anyone take Cam away from me.”
Courtney clenched her fists. “You’re selfish.”
Those two simple words encapsulated his behavior right now. He was being plain selfish.
For the sake of his personal comfort, he was refusing Cameron a chance at recovery. This wasn’t love.
Courtney glared at Gale, discarding all sense of civility. “Cameron’s not an object. In terms of closeness, I have more power than you in deciding how she should be treated now. I’m not here to discuss with you; I’m just here to inform you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Gale’s face fell. “Do you think that you can do as you please in Melrose City just because you have Elijah’s backing?”
He had clearly overstepped her limits. The anger that Courtney had suppressed all morning rushed to her head. She snarled, “Do you think that everyone is like you? Besides finding someone to back you up so you can have power in Melrose City, is there nothing else to do? You’re the same as Alexander—you’re both trash. Do you think I want to take Cameron away? You’re the one forcibly keeping her here, letting her mind go astray with no means of distraction. If something happens to her one day, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”
As he was being berated, his expression was extremely sour, especially when he heard the words ‘something happens to her’. In a flash, he thought of the accident that occurred two days ago, and his heart twisted.
“Do you know what I brought with me today?”
Courtney poured out the contents of the enormous paper bag, then spread out a white silky fabric inlaid with gold thread on the sofa. Under the light, it was modest and radiant as if it was woven from clouds and the starry night sky. The dress fluttered; it was soft and puffy. It was nothing less of a dreamy wedding gown.
“This is Cameron’s graduation project. It’s called ‘Dream’.”
Cameron regarded her marriage as a dream because to her, it was something that was out of reach. She figured that going back to leading a normal life and getting married was an impossible reality. It wasn’t so much as looking forward to marriage than looking forward to going back to her normal self.
“I hope you’ll think this through.”
Throwing down the paper bag, Courtney grabbed her bag and was about to leave. Before she walked out, she darted a look at Gale and said brusquely, “Your little ruse this morning was too clumsy. You may want to intervene in the situation, but you’ve got to see if people actually need your help. Don’t be so nosy next time.”
Gale was baffled by the scolding he just got from her. If this was any other time, he would’ve jumped up from his seat and demanded explanations, but now he had seemingly turned mute. He stared blankly at the wedding gown on the sofa, lost in thought.
All along, he had thought that Cameron didn’t care for marriage, and he even suspected that she feared it. It was similar to how he had always thought that she was only seeking freedom with no place for family in her heart.
He had thought wrong, and he realized that he had yet to fully understand Cameron.
As soon as Courtney left, Cameron walked out of the kitchen holding a salad. When she saw that only Gale was in the living room, she asked, “Where’s Courtney?”
“She left,” Gale answered bleakly.
“Huh? Why did she leave?” Cameron had a look of confusion on her face. After placing the plate of fruit salad on the coffee table, she looked up, only to see a flurry of white on the sofa. She froze. “Why is this here?”
Watching the change of expressions on Cameron’s face, Gale’s emotions felt even more complicated. “Is this your graduation project?”
“Yes,” Cameron answered weakly. Touching the bottom of the gown, she sat down slowly to one side. “I’ve not seen it once since I graduated. I started to forget what it looks like. Back then, this gown even won me the award for the best creation.”
Judging from the look in Cameron’s eyes as she gazed at the dress, Gale could tell what she truly desired.
She wasn’t willing to be a patient that never saw the light of day. She had dreams, and she had things in this world to look forward to. She wouldn’t stay with him forever in this tiny house.
Courtney was right—he might be careless one day and cause an accident that couldn’t be fixed.
“Cam, do you want to get treated in a hospital in America?” The man’s heavy voice rang out in the house.
