Too Much To Bear, My Love Chapter 66


    “Mr. Clinton, when our divorce has been finalized, I won’t ask anything of you if you’ll let me have our


    child,” Amelia said.


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    “No,” Oscar refused without a moment’s hesitation. “I won’t allow a Clinton to be left out in the cold like


    this.”


    Amelia’s eyes widened. She said incredulously, “But Mr. Clinton, Ms. Yard is already pregnant. If my


    child remains with the Clintons, what would he do without either of his parents by his side? Why won’t


    you let hime with me instead? He’ll only be another sticking point between Ms. Yard and yourself if


    he stays here.”


    Oscar frowned, looking wrathful. “He’s a Clinton. He’s not a sticking point,” he dered.


    A sardonic grin appeared on Amelia’s face. She said scornfully, “What he’ll have instead of real parents


    are a stepmother and a stepfather. Mr. Clinton, you and Ms. Yard have children of your own. What


    makes you think that you’d be able to care for mine on the same level?”


    Oscar’s frown deepened. “You’ve gravely misunderstood Cassie. At the rate this conversation is going,


    there’s no way it can end well. Perhaps we should discuss this when you’ve calmed down a bit more.”


    Amelia wriggled out of his embrace. “I’m perfectly calm now, Mr. Clinton, so I would like to discuss this


    now.”


    Oscar looked at her wordlessly.


    Amelia pressed on, insisting, “We didn’t even consider the possibility of having a child when we signed


    our marriage papers all those years ago. Why can’t you revert to that original mindset now that we’re


    divorced? I’ll leave with no strings attached. All I want is my child.”


    Amelia paused and took a deep breath. Then she continued, “You’ll have other children with Ms. Yard.


    But this may be the only child I’ll ever have in my life. If you’ve ever loved me even a little, please give


    me custody of him.”


    Oscar continued looking at her.


    “Will you, Mr. Clinton? Say something.” Amelia returned his gaze resolutely.


    Oscar fished for a cigarette. As he brought it to his lips, however, he suddenly remembered the doctor’s


    orders not to smoke in the presence of a pregnantdy. He lowered his cigarette again.


    Oscar got off the bed, crossing over to the couch, then sat down. Matter-of-factly, he said, “Amelia,


    don’t we have a rather good arrangement now? When you asked for romance, I created countless


    swoon-worthy moments for you. When you got pregnant, I permitted you to carry the child to term. If


    money is what you want, I’ll see to it that you receive a hefty sum upon the finalization of the divorce.


    You can lead a carefree existence for the rest of your life. These are riches some women can’t even


    dream of. Tell me, what is it that you’recking?”


    Ameliaughed bitterly. Herbel as a gold digger now eclipsed her. She couldn’t me Oscar for


    thinking she could be bought off by money.


    When she had married Oscar four years ago, she never once imagined they’d get divorced one day,


    much less under such tumultuous circumstances.


    “Mr. Clinton, I only want the child,” Amelia repeated firmly.


    “You can have him, but I’ll freeze every one of your ounts. You won’t be able to take a single cent


    with you,” Oscar threatened. In his mind’s eye, he thought Amelia’s grubby personality would


    immediately back off when faced with this threat to her wealth. He thus never saw her replying.


    “Great. I hope you’ll honor your word, Mr. Clinton,” Amelia replied without missing a beat.


    Astonished, Oscar looked at her and asked, “Are you certain of this?”


    Amelia simply nodded.


    “We’ve been married for nearly five years. It’s not a long period of time, but it isn’t insignificant either.


    I’m thirty now, and I’ve given you some of the best years of my youth. I’ll never regret having met you.


    Let’s save ourselves the sleepless nights and finalize our divorce in five days. And please help me to


    convey my thanks to your mom. She’s always treated me well, and I don’t think I’ll be able to bear her


    disappointment.”


    A warning gleam appeared in Oscar’s eyes. Menacingly, he asked, “Are you that eager to get away


    from me?”


    Amelia shook her head wearily and said, “A love triangle will always leave victims in its wake, Mr.


    Clinton. I’m already at the losing end, so I don’t wish to prolong my entanglement in this childish and


    hopeless affair.”


    Oscar strode over. Towering over her, he bent down and seized her chin, saying, “Amelia, I don’t want


    to get a divorce now. As for the child, I’ll let you have him, but as far as I’m concerned, this is game


    over.”


    Baffled, Amelia looked at him. Then she asked evenly, “If you no longer love me, Mr. Clinton, then why


    do you insist on keeping me chained to your side? What’s the point of that?”


    Oscar stroked her face absently. “Leave that up to me,” he replied.


    Resigned, Amelia shook her head. “Mr. Clinton, has anybody ever told you that you’re an absolute


    devil?”


    Oscar replied cheerfully, “You’re the first, but I like the sound of it. You’re my wife, so I don’t mind you


    calling me that.”


    His ability to remain unfazed by her insults left her feeling most helpless. Trying another tactic, she


    lowered her gaze and meekly pleaded, “Have mercy on me, Mr. Clinton. I don’t wish to continue ying


    games with you anymore.”


    Oscar’s hands dropped to his side. tly, he intoned, “You were just discharged. Stay at home and


    rest. I’ll be heading out for a while.”


    Amelia knew that it was, in fact, Cassie who was on his mind. However, she refused to concern herself


    with that. In the brief exchange that had just urred, she had allowed herself to think that there was a


    glimmer of hope for her rtionship with Oscar—until Cassie reappeared.


    Whatever affection Amelia thought she’d glimpsed in Oscar was merely wishful thinking on her part.


    After Oscar left, Amelia sat dejectedly on the bed. Suddenly, the shrill ringing of the phone startled her


    out of her thoughts.


    Amelia fumbled around for her phone. When she picked it up, Carter’s name shed luminously across


    her screen. She instantly felt a rush of guilt.


    Amelia answered the call. “Carter.”


    On the other end, Carter asked anxiously, “Have you been discharged yet?”


    “I got out today. I’m very sorry, Carter. I’ve barely worked for a month at yourpany, and I’ve already


    taken half a month’s worth of leave. Perhaps it would be better for me to resign. I don’t want to make


    things too difficult for you.”


    Carterughed gaily. “This position’s reserved for you. It’s a small matter, so don’t take it to heart. Your


    health is of paramount importance. By the way, if you’re still interested in going to Saspiuburg for


    training, I’ll leave a spot open for you.”


    Amelia was silent.


    After a few minutes, she finally said, “Carter, thank you for all the help you’ve given me, but I don’t think


    I should go to Saspiuburg. Please let someone else have the spot.”


    “All right,” Carter agreed.


    “My body’s mostly recovered, and I can actually return to work tomorrow. Will that be okay for you? Will


    it cause you too much trouble?” Amelia asked worriedly.


    On his end, Carter smiled to himself. In a low voice, he replied, “Silly, enough of your nonsense. If you


    feel up to it,e in tomorrow then.”


    “Okay.”


    “Have a good rest, and bring back that fearless irondy I used to know. I look forward to working with


    her again,” Carter teased.


    Amelia cheered up. “Got it. I won’t let my personal issues affect my work.”


    “Rest well. I’ll hang up first then,” Carter replied.


    After the call had ended, Amelia stared at her phone for a while, lost in thought. Cradling her belly, she


    whispered, “Sweetheart, your daddy’s determined to marry Cassie. It’s not that Mommy wants to give


    up, but I am always destined toe out poorer from this love triangle.”


    Amelia sat on the bed for a good ten minutes before deciding that she might as welly down for all her


    trouble. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep, but the unending mor of her thoughts made peace


    and sleep a distant dream.


    Amelia tossed and turned, but her thoughts returned unfailingly to Oscar. It was in this state of longing


    that she finally drifted off to sleep.


    It was six in the evening when she was woken up by the maid for dinner. After she had gotten


    pregnant, she was prone to long bouts of drowsiness. She found herself wrestling frequently with her


    increasingly heavy eyelids. Hence, going to work was good for her as it provided an environment in


    which she didn’t dare to fall asleep.


    Amelia headed to the bathroom for a quick wash-up. She then changed into a flowy dress that left her


    feeling less restricted before proceeding downstairs.


    She was greeted by the sight of Olivia already seated at the dining table. She smiled and made her


    way over to her, asking concernedly, “Mom, are you feeling better now?”


    Olivia returned her smile warmly. “I’m all better. Why are you here all alone? Where’s Oscar?”


    Amelia hesitated, then replied falteringly, “Something came up at work. His employee had called him


    back to manage it.”


    Olivia’s face darkened. A woman of the world, her keen eye saw right through Amelia’s reply to the


    heart of the matter—work was merely an excuse and Oscar was with Cassie this very moment, no


    doubt.


    “Mom, something really came up at work. One of Oscar’s secretaries had personally called to inform


    him of it,” Amelia consoled.


    Olivia’s heart ached for Amelia. She stifled her dissatisfaction toward her son and pulled Amelia closer


    to her. “Since Oscar is busy, we shan’t wait for him to eat dinner then. It’ste, and my darling


    grandchild can’t be made to endure hunger.”


    Stephanie pouted and whined, “Mom, aren’t you exaggerating? Amelia’s just pregnant. It’s not as if she


    has a national treasure with her or something. Isn’t pregnancy something that every woman will go


    through? You’re fussing over her as if she’s royalty.”


    Olivia gave Stephanie a hard look, then said, “You’ll only know the pain of being pregnant when you


    actually get there. You can choose to be civil and eat your dinner here, or I can get the maid to send


    the food up to your room.”


    Oliva’s stern speech subdued Stephanie.


    When the steaming hot dishes arrived, Olivia affectionately turned to Amelia, saying, “Amelia, these are


    nutritious dishes that I’ve prepared especially for you ording to the doctor’s instructions. Try it and


    see if it agrees with you.”


    Amelia replied modestly, “Mom, there’s no need to go to such trouble. I’m five months in, but I’ve yet to


    experience morning sickness or any particr cravings. There’s no need to put yourselves out for me. I


    don’t want to ruin the menu.”


    Stephanie snorted. “Come on! Don’t waste your acting talent here. Why don’t you go ahead and forge a


    career in showbiz?”


    Olivia gave Stephanie another warning look and said, “Steph, Amelia is pregnant. Can’t you be a little


    more understanding? What if you agitate her and she ends up having a miscarriage?”


    Stephanie burst in exasperatedly. “Mom, she’s not the only woman who will ever get pregnant! Cassie


    also has Oscar’s—”


    Thwack! A firm sound of silverware ttering onto the floor was heard.


    Olivia was seething. “Steph, if you keep this up, I’ll get your father to pack you off to study overseas! If I


    can’t tame you, I’ll get someone else to do it. I won’t let anyone speak badly of our family on your


    ount.”


    Stephanie bit her lip, looking hurt beyond measure. “Mom, I don’t like this woman. I don’t care if the


    child she’s carrying is rted to me. Don’t even think about asking me to get along with her.”


    Owen gave Stephanie a stern look. “That’s enough from you, Steph! Amelia has rarelye over to


    spend the night. Stop angering your mom, or I’ll make arge deduction from your allowance for this


    month.”


    That was sufficient to quell Stephanie.


    “Let’s eat,” Owenmanded. His family promptly obeyed.


    The tension hung heavy in the air, however. Stephanie ate a few mouthfuls, then set her te down.


    “Dad, Mom, I’m done eating. I’ll head back to my room.”


    “Stop right there!” Olivia ordered. She pointed toward Stephanie’s half-eaten dinner and said, “Steph,


    you’re only allowed to leave this table when you’ve finished all your food.”


    Stephanie turned around in a huff. “Mom, I had too many snacks before dinner. I don’t have much of an


    appetite now.”


    Olivia was on the verge of a retort when Amelia stood up, saying, “Steph, please go ahead. I’ve had my


    fill, and I’ll be going out for a walk to aid indigestion. Why don’t you stay to apany your parents?”


    Stephanie clearly resented Amelia’s graciousness. She spat, “Stop being such a hypocrite, Amelia!


    When you’re here, this entire ce feels suffocating. I’m going out for a breath of fresh air.”


    Having disyed her annoyance, Stephanie turned and stomped off.


    Amelia remained where she was with an indecipherable expression on her face.


    Olivia was evidently displeased. She pulled Amelia toward her gently and said, “Amelia, Steph is just


    young and ignorant. Don’t take her words to heart.”


    Amelia recovered herself. Smiling, she replied, “Mom, I’m fine. I’m just a little full from dinner. I’m gonna


    head out for a short walk; I’ll be back in a while.”


    “I’lle with you,” Olivia said.