Too Much to Bear My Love

Cassie’s head drooped and there was a flash in her eyes. When she looked back up, she was back to her innocent, bubbly self.

“Oz, come sit with me. Don’t worry. I’m not going to harm you. Even if something should happen, isn’t it always the woman who’s at a disadvantage? I’m not even afraid, so why should you be?” Cassie sat Oscar down and brought him his glass of wine. “Go ahead and try it. Let me know if you like the taste.”

With a practiced hand, Oscar swirled his wine to release its aromas. He then brought the glass to his lips and took a sip, savoring it slowly. “This wine is good. It’s full-bodied and rich.”

Cassie laughed. “Good, good. You should drink more then.”

The two of them continued to chat and drink through the night. Even though he could usually hold his liquor, Oscar was starting to feel the buzz from the wine. He tried to stand up, only to fall back into his chair.

Concerned, Cassie made her way toward him. “Are you drunk? Let me take you to the bed.”

Oscar wanted to swat her away but found himself too weak to do anything. He gave in and let Cassie lead him to bed. As she reached out to remove his clothes, he suddenly grabbed her hands. “Oz, you’re drunk. I’m taking your clothes off so you can sleep more comfortably,” she said softly.

Oscar stared at her with glassy eyes.

A sly smile lit up Cassie’s face. “I’ll make you feel even more comfortable in a while. After tonight, I will officially be your woman.”

She reached up to caress Oscar’s face. “Don’t blame me for setting you up, Oz. I was just so afraid of losing you to Amelia. You keep telling me you love me, but you refuse to be intimate with me. You left me no choice but to do things my way. Once this night is over, you’re mine forever.”

Oscar was still staring at her in his drunken state when he suddenly muttered, “Amelia.”

This came like a bolt from the blue and Cassie froze.

“You keep saying you no longer love her, but even in this drunken and drugged state, you’re still calling out her name.” Cassie felt her rage boiling over and started tearing at Oscar’s clothes. “I was going to drug you further, but I held back for fear of side effects. How could you still call out her name? Do you know how much this hurts me?”

Oscar continued muttering, “Amelia, you’re home? Let’s go to bed then.” He was about to sit up and pull Cassie into bed, but he couldn’t muster an ounce of energy to do so.

“Amelia, what’s wrong with me?” he asked quizzically.

Cassie gathered all her strength to remove Oscar’s clothes before stripping herself down. As she straddled him, Oscar pushed her away in frustration. “Go away. You stink.”

had people fawning over her since she was a child and never had she ever been shamed like this. And to be humiliated by the man who claimed to love

the matter, Oz? Don’t be such

snored away, dead

She

you love me, and yet you’ve been humiliating me. The more you push me away, the more I want to become yours. Mark my words. I’ll make sure I’m the only woman in

suddenly muttered, “Amelia, I don’t want a divorce. I think I’m in love with you.” He even had on such a dopey smile as he said

into his ear and whispered, “Oz, I’ll

got off the bed and took out a packet of human blood from the wardrobe. It was one that she had purchased from the hospital. She tore

into the

back into bed and calmly lay on Oscar. “I hope you dream of

guessed as much as to what they might have done. What he didn’t understand was why he

a little disgusted by it. Oscar wondered if Cassie had set him up but promptly ruled that out. She was far too innocent to be this scheming. This was all probably just a

met his gaze with red, puffy eyes. “Oz, you got so drunk last night you forced me into bed. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t

she

now, don’t cry. It was my fault that I got stupid drunk and did

myself for you ever since we started dating. You wanted to wait till we got married and I was fine with that

“Don’t worry,” he said softly. “I’ll take responsibility for this. You’re

last night… There wasn’t any protection used. What if you got me pregnant? I don’t want my baby to

swirling inside him now. To be honest, he had always dreaded the prospect of marrying Cassie. He was aware of how often he professed his love for her but getting married was a whole other deal. He would usually

The fact that he could bring their family business to even greater heights just showed how clever and capable he was. Yet now

you disgusted by me now and regret your promise to marry me? You know I’m not that kind of woman, right? If you really don’t wish to marry me, I won’t force you either. We’ll cut all ties, and I’ll go back to Erihal. Even if I do have your child,

tight. “You’ve misunderstood me, Cassie. I was just thinking about stuff earlier. I’ll make good on my

a shower before going to work? I have to

a man. If you feel uncomfortable in any way, don’t hesitate to tell me,

“Oz, I know.”

number. Once the call got through, she said gleefully, “Ms. Winters, it’s me. I’m pregnant with Oscar’s child, so if you’re smart about it,

other end of the call, Amelia was cool as a

I be using his phone? He called me over to your house last night after you left. It may not be as grand as the Clinton residence, but it’s still got a nice, homely touch to it. I