Love You Enough to Leave You

I’d always believed that you were a man of your word. However, you’ve gone back and forth between two women, taking pleasure in both of them even as they suffer from your indecisiveness. As a woman, I despise men like you. Of course, I strongly objected to Cassie becoming a third party in your marriage. It’s too bad that she’s my only daughter. As much as I disapprove of her, she’s all I have, and I’ve got to support her. I can’t stand by idly and let you hurt her.” Elizabeth finished off her surprisingly moving speech by gazing up at Oscar defiantly. Oscar looked away. After pausing for a moment, he met Elizabeth’s eyes.

“Mrs. Yard, I didn’t think things through since the beginning, so I’m truly sorry for that. I’ll definitely deal with Cassie tactfully and deal with her as gently as I can. Even though we may no longer be a couple, I’d still like to affirm that as long as she needs help, she only has to tell me. I’ll immediately drop everything to help her to the best that I can. This is my promise to her. You can be sure that I’ll keep my word.” Elizabeth’s resentment towards Oscar had greatly lessened by this point, and her face was no longer as tense as it was. “Oz, this is the promise you have made, so you can’t go back on your word for the rest of your life.

All I have is Cassie. Even if you don’t end up together with her, I hope that you’ll help Cassie retain Yard Group and fend off prying hands. Cassie’s excellent at playing the piano, but she doesn’t have much experience in business dealings. I don’t know if Cassie will be able to manage things,” Elizabeth replied. Oscar nodded. “Mrs. Yard, I promise that whatever happens between us, I’ll never let Yard Group fall into the hands of an outsider. This is my solemn promise to you. As long as Cassie asks for help, I’ll come to her aid.” Elizabeth was pleased. “Oz, it’s late.

Go in and sleep then,” Elizabeth said in a milder tone. “Initially, I thought you should head back, but you’ve seen for yourself how unwilling Cassie is to let you go. She’s still weak and prone to emotional agitation. Please take good care of her.” Oscar hesitated, then nodded slowly. “You head back first then, Mrs. Yard. Leave Cassie to me,” Oscar said. “Mr. Yard’s busy with the business these days, and it’ll be taxing on him to care for Cassie as well. Go back and assure him that I’ll be here.” “We’ll have to trouble you, then. If anything happens to Cassie, be sure to call me.

We could have hired a dedicated nurse for her, but she insisted on having you here. I’m helpless in many matters regarding Cassie. Please bear with her, and I’ll leave her to you,” Elizabeth instructed before picking up her bag and making her exit. Oscar stood outside Cassie’s hospital room. The entire corridor seemed deserted. That block consisted of premium wards, and the decor and facilities available were the best. Oscar fished out his phone from his pocket and dialed Amelia. She answered almost instantly. “Have you gone home?” Oscar asked. Amelia’s voice over the phone was hushed. “I’m at still the hospital. Carter’s still in the operating room. How’s Ms. Yard?” “She has just fallen asleep,” Carter replied.

answered evenly. “It’s late. You should go back early and rest. I’ll be heading back with Tiff in a while,” Amelia said. “OK.” Over the phone, the husband and his wife spoke tenderly. The conversation bloomed with an intimacy that had never happened before in their interactions over the years. An air of bashful romance floated over each of them. Neither Oscar nor Amelia was willing to be the first to hang up. They had just parted, but this exchange was one of their rosiest moments as a couple. It might have gone

time for her.” Having said that, Tiffany vehemently ended the call. On their end, Tiffany glanced at Amelia kindly after she hung up, saying, “Babe, you look ridiculous. If you smile any wider, your teeth are all going to fall out.” Amelia clapped both her hands to her cheeks, feeling her ears burn with embarrassment. Tiffany sighed at her friend’s hapless state. This silly

but she’s just a scared little girl on the inside. “Babe, do you know what you look like now?” Tiffany asked, nudging Amelia. Amelia, however, looked at Tiffany with incomprehension. “What do I look like?” “You look like a little fool who’s fallen head over

feeling after the conversation she had with Oscar earlier. “Tiff, don’t laugh at me,” Amelia said in earnest. Tiffany rearranged her face to look serious. “Babe, calm down. I don’t want to be a wet blanket either, but I simply can’t bear

twinge of guilt. “I’m sorry, Babe. I…” “Tiff, you’re right,” Amelia broke in, shaking her head vigorously. “If you hadn’t reminded me, I’d still be naively smitten, and leap into his arms without thinking of the possible consequences. I’m

will be taken away from me eventually. I’ll just go with the flow. What’s mine will be mine, and I’ll let go if it isn’t meant to be. There’s no point in forcing things.” Tiffany began to panic. “Babe, are you really OK?” Amelia looked sober. “Tiff, I’m not that fragile. I’ve always understood the nature of our relationship and

think too badly of the Scotts. Their attitude has improved considerably over these four or five years. Besides, I’m not asking for much. All I want is the safe delivery of my baby and an

considered kindness? I just don’t really want to be hurt by people I have no attachment to. If I started to care about them, I’d surely be on the losing end,” Amelia said with an air of enlightenment. Tiffany surrendered. “Fine, Babe. I respect your decision. If you have chosen not to get involved, then I shan’t either. Don’t expect me to be polite to the Scotts, though. That’s the best I can do to keep myself from rushing over and beating them up. I get all fired up whenever I think about how

smile. Finally, Amelia felt her tensed muscles relax. Carter’s operation lasted until 1 a.m. in the morning. At last, the light over the door of the operating room shut off and doctors streamed out, their faces etched with fatigue. Faye darted forward and clung onto one of the doctor’s arms. “Dr. Freeman, how’s my son?” Dr. Freeman glanced at her, then replied curtly, “The patient is currently out of danger. But as his