"He has cancer."

"What?!" I I gasped as I jumped out of my chair in shock.

"That's the reason why he drinks."

"Oh my god! Does Riley know?" I whispered in horror.

"No. He will tell them after the party. So you have to keep it to yourself."

What?! How do I do that? How could she ask me to keep such a serious issue as a secret from Riley? What am I going to do?

"How long have you been keeping his secret, Mum ?"

"7 years. He fought it for 7 years."

"So you came home because he was rushed to the hospital the other day. What did...