Too Much to Bear My Love

“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.

“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 him come 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 declared.

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 pregnant lady. 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’re lacking?”

Amelia laughed bitterly. Her label as a gold digger now eclipsed her. She couldn’t blame 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 accounts. 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 reply coming.

“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.

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

Menacingly, he asked, “Are you that eager to get away

victims in its wake, Mr. Clinton. I’m already at the losing end, so I don’t

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

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

absently. “Leave that

has anybody ever told you

but I like the sound of it. You’re my wife, so I don’t mind you calling

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 playing

discharged. Stay at home and rest. I’ll be heading

the brief exchange that had just occurred, she had allowed herself to think

Amelia thought she’d glimpsed in Oscar was merely wishful thinking on

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

name flashed luminously across

the call.

the other end, Carter asked

worked for a month at your company, and I’ve already taken half a month’s worth of leave. Perhaps it would be better for me to resign. I

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

Amelia was silent.

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

“All right,” Carter agreed.

work tomorrow. Will that be okay for you? Will it cause you too much trouble?”

smiled to himself. In a low voice, he replied, “Silly, enough of your nonsense. If you feel up to it, come

“Okay.”

rest, and bring back that fearless iron lady I used to know.

cheered up. “Got it. I won’t

I’ll hang up

Amelia stared at her phone for a while, lost in thought. Cradling her belly, she whispered, “Sweetheart, your daddy’s determined

bed for a good ten minutes before deciding that she might as well lay down for all her trouble. She

turned, but her thoughts returned unfailingly to Oscar. It was in this state of longing that she finally drifted off

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

She then changed into a flowy dress that left her feeling less restricted before

seated at the dining table. She smiled and made her way over to her, asking concernedly, “Mom, are you feeling better

“I’m all better.

came up at work. His employee had called him back to manage

through Amelia’s reply to the heart of the matter—work was merely an excuse and Oscar

work. One of Oscar’s secretaries had personally called to inform him

for Amelia. She stifled her dissatisfaction toward her son and pulled Amelia closer to her. “Since Oscar is busy, we shan’t wait