Chapter 143 Overheard
Elizabeth explained, “If I could, Cassie, I would go all out to get rid of Amelia’s baby. However, you’ll be Olivia’s first suspect if Amelia loses her baby at this juncture. Don’t forget that Olivia treats Amelia like her own daughter.”
Upon hearing this, Cassie became exceedingly desolate.
After moments of silence, she wailed uncontrollably and tossed the pillows around like a mad woman.
“Why? Why? Why?”
Elizabeth tried to console her with a hug. “Calm down, Cassie. Your wounds might split open. You’ve just had a miscarriage, so don’t get too agitated. Stay calm all right? Breathe… Your Dad and I will talk to Oscar, okay? Don’t worry.”
Cassie buried her head in her arms and bawled her eyes out. Her emotions were very unstable and pulled her wound.
Elizabeth tried to hold her down and stop her from moving around. “Be still, Cassie. I’m here. If you really want to get rid of Amelia’s child, I’ll see to it and make sure that nobody knows about it.”
It was only then did Cassie finally regained her composure.
“Mom, will you really do it for me?”
As a transient shadow of sorrow passed over Elizabeth’s face, she cast a conflicting look at Cassie. “I’m your Mom. Don’t you feel bad for tricking me into doing such a thing for you?”
“I’m sorry, Mom. I’m just scared. Amelia’s child is a big threat to me. The baby will only bring her closer to Oz. I’ll only have peace once it’s gone.”
Suddenly, Elizabeth felt that her own daughter had become so distant and strange that she no longer knew her anymore.
The Yards are a prominent family that values customary rites, good etiquettes, and virtues. Although it can be quite complicated when socializing with people from all sorts of backgrounds, the need to scheme and plot is definitely out of the question.
She did not expect her own daughter to come up with such underhanded plans. Cassie had turned into a person that she was no longer familiar with. She had never wanted to see Cassie grow up naively in her own ivory tower. Yet, she had never wanted Cassie to turn into someone so cunning and manipulative.
“Cassie, you’ve changed too much. I feel so distant from you now,” Elizabeth was very honest.
She quickly held Elizabeth’s hands. “Mom, I’m still your sweet little girl.”
Elizabeth withdrew her hand and said, “Let me get over this. Cassie, I don’t know you anymore. You have instilled fear in me.”
Upon hearing that, Cassie struggled to get off the bed. Elizabeth yelled at her, “Don’t move!”
Her high-pitched voice stunned Cassie. Her body stiffened while her eyes welled up. She asked softly, “Are you okay, Mom?”
Elizabeth scratched her head in frustration. Her disheveled look did not reflect her identity as a noble lady.
“Stop talking, Cassie. I’m very troubled by what you’ve become because of one man. My beloved daughter has now turned into a conniving person. I don’t know how to respond to this change in you. If the condition of your health allowed it, I’d have given you a tight slap to remind you not to stoop so low for a man. Wake up, you’re the pride and joy of the Yard Group! You make my heart aches.”
Tears streamed down Cassie’s face.
“No, Mom, I’m not like that. I just…”
“That’s enough. I don’t know you anymore. Since the day you are born, you’ve been provided with the best of everything—food, clothes, to schools and teachers. You also excel in everything that you do. However, somehow and somewhere, you grew up to be a devious person who manipulates your own family members in the pursuit of love. I’m very disappointed with you. What went wrong that contributed to the undesirable changes in you?”
“Mom, don’t be like this…”
Elizabeth was too overwhelmed with the tumultuous of emotions that her voice became shrill.
“Cassie, my only daughter, I love you. I don’t want you to lose yourself because of one man. I want you to be a strong and independent woman, who is pure and innocent. I’d never expected you to deceive your own parent.”
Cassie wrapped her arms around Elizabeth’s. “No, Mom, I won’t do that again. I promise. I just love Oz too much that I’m fearful of losing him.”
Feeling upset, Elizabeth’s breaths quickened.
With the two rising to a clamor, they did not notice the door to the ward had been unlocked.
Oscar entered the ward and heard something unbelievable. “Cassie, I carried you for ten full months. Nobody loves you more than I do. I’ve been putting in lots of effort to educate you, but what have become of you? You wanted me to get rid of Amelia’s baby. I’m disheartened to the core. The girl whom I’ve raised has become so wicked… It’s better you heard these from me than anyone else.”
“Mom, Oz is mine solely, and Amelia is just my substitute. Now that I’m back, she should know her place and get out of the picture. I also believe that Oz doesn’t want that child either. I’m just making a decision for him. What’s wrong with that?” Cassie was weeping but her tone was as harsh as ever.
Dismayed, Elizabeth took her time to advise Cassie, “Why can’t you understand? I don’t want you to be a bad person, Cassie. You’re my precious girl. I have never thought that you’ll turn into someone evil.”
“Mom, I’m sick of playing innocent in front of a man. Can’t I just be myself in private? What’s so wrong with that?” exclaimed Cassie.
Elizabeth sighed. “Cassie, please see where I’m coming from. It’s not without sweat and tears for me to be Mrs. Yard. I learned it the hard way and paid the price for it. In the end, I’ve attained glory and wealth, but I’m no longer the most significant person in your dad’s heart. I don’t want to see you change yourself completely just for a guy.”
Bowing her head, Cassie insisted, “I don’t care, Mom. As long as the man I love is by my side. Does it matter if his heart is not with me?”
Elizabeth swung her gaze over in disbelief.
“How could you think like that, Cassie?”
“Mom, I don’t think that I’ve said something wrong. If I love him, shouldn’t I be going all out to get him? It’s not important how he feels for me. I just want him to stay with me forever. We’ll age together and I’ll always be seen as the winner in life!” Cassie was resolute and unswerving.
Stupefied, Elizabeth was left speechless.
“Mom, don’t blame me for being merciless. I just want Oscar to be by my side. As long as he doesn’t go back to Amelia, I can let her keep her baby.”
Elizabeth felt a chill running down her spine upon realizing Cassie was crueler than her when she was young. Should I be pleased or worried?
Cassie gripped her mother’s hand again. “Mom, I’m your only child. Stand by me, regardless.”
Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth replied, “Cassie, I’ve always loved you and tried my best to provide you with the best. I’ve only shown you the good and never the bad and the ugly. Who would have known…”
Cassie continued, “I’m not wrong, Mom. I truly love him, so I should get him by all means. I can’t bring myself to see him living a blissful life with a woman if the person isn’t me. I can’t do this, even in the name of love. Why should I pretend to let him go if I want him so badly?”
Elizabeth remained silent.
“Mom, didn’t you tell me that you’ve also pulled some tricks in order to get Dad? Then, you should understand how I feel, right?”
Elizabeth let out another sigh.
“Cassie, you’re still young and can’t fully comprehend what I said. When you get older, you’ll realize that there’s no use in obtaining love by force. You’ll reap a bitter ending.”
Perplexed, Cassie frowned. “Mom, what are you talking about?”
Elizabeth heaved another sigh. “You’ll understand all these once you hit thirty. I just hope that you don’t focus so much on Oscar. As for Amelia’s baby, I disagree to get rid of it. Let her bear the child and use it as your bargaining chip to marry into the Clinton family. I’m your mother, so I mean no harm to you. Just do as I say if you still think of me as your mom. Otherwise, I’m going to leave you alone.”
“Mom, don’t let her keep the baby. It will be a threat to my relationship with Oscar. I’ll never have his heart…” Cassie was very determined.
“You…” Elizabeth was enraged. “It’s up to you. I’m going to head out.”
As soon as she turned, she saw that Oscar was just standing nearby. She nearly jumped out of her skin and stuttered, “Os… Oscar, you… Why are you here? No, no, since when did you come in?”
Cassie’s face turned ghastly pale. Her body started trembling when she widened her eyes and saw Oscar.
Seeing the identical shocking expressions on the duo’s faces, a disdainful smirk appeared on Oscar’s face.
“Mrs. Yard, Cassie, are you done?” He sounded so relaxed, yet, anyone could tell that it was the calm before the storm.
Horror-stricken, Cassie’s knees fell weak.
Removing the sheets to get out of the bed, she was too feeble to walk properly toward Oscar. She used up all her might to limp toward him, and pleaded, “Oz, please let me explain. I was just joking with my mom. Don’t take it seriously.”
He stared coldly at her and said indifferently, “Cassie, did you say anything?”
His words frightened the living daylights out of her. I know Oscar too well. If he hasn’t heard anything, he won’t react like this. The calmer he is, the more he scares me. I’m afraid he heard every single word I have said. If that’s the case, all of my efforts will be in vain.
She ran her arms around his and put on a fragile look. “Oz, don’t be like this. I’d rather you give me a piece of your mind. Don’t be so cold to me. I’m sorry, please don’t ignore me. You know that I love you to the moon and back. I just can’t stand you ignoring me. Could you please smile at me? I’m terrified when you’re like this.”
Oscar scoffed and said calmly, “Cassie, why are you so terrified? Did you do something wrong? Why should I reprimand you?”
Her hands trembled in fear.
“Oz, please don’t do this to me. I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. Don’t ignore me. Please… I’m really scared.” Her face contorted as she wept depressively. If it was in the past, Oscar might hug and console her affectionately. However, he just cast an icy gaze at her. There was not a hint of warmth in his gaze.
Cassie was absolutely shaken. I’ve done so much to keep him by my side. Had things been going against my wish, I’d rather I never did all these.
