Too Much to Bear My Love

Oscar suddenly stood up. Apprehensively, Amelia asked, “Mr. Clinton, are you leaving?”

Oscar walked over. He leaned over Amelia, almost pinning her onto the bed. The tips of their noses brushed against each other.

Enthralled, Amelia had no way of reining in her wildly beating heart. Her eyes darted from side to side, desperately avoiding Oscar’s intent gaze.

“What do you feel like eating? I’ll go and get it,” he said.

That was the last thing Amelia had expected to hear from Oscar at that moment.

“Now that you’re having a baby, you should eat a little more than usual. Tell me what you’re craving; I’ll buy it for you.” Oscar’s cool tone belied his apparent discomfort.

Amelia couldn’t believe her ears. This was Oscar’s first time showing concern for her baby.

“Mr. Clinton, are you actually concerned about me?” Amelia asked in disbelief.

“Enough of that. Tell me, quickly, what you want to eat,” Oscar insisted.

Amelia found the situation hilarious. Oscar seemed a lot more human now in comparison to the guarded, defensive man he usually was.

“Since you’ve offered, I can’t possibly say no. All right then. On account of Mr. Clinton’s generosity, I’d like to order a pasta arrabbiata, stewed beef, and mango sorbet to top it all off… I’m spoilt for choice! How can I decide?” Amelia asked in exaggerated despair.

Seeing that Oscar had let her off the hook for the matter with the photographs, the sudden feeling of liberation dared Amelia to joke with Oscar, something she seldom did.

Oscar only glared at her. “Amelia, don’t go overboard.”

“Don’t be so petty, Mr. Clinton. Can’t you even bear to buy these for me?” Amelia wheedled, pouting.

Oscar realized that he rather liked seeing this feminine side of Amelia.

“Wait and see; I’ll buy it all for you. Anything else?” he queried.

“I want you. Can I have that?” Amelia asked playfully.

Oscar’s face once again assumed a sober look. “You’re only allowed to say such things to me in the future. I forbid you from flirting with any other man like that.”

Flirting?

Amelia thought she had merely been casually teasing Oscar. She was rather distressed that it had been seen as flirtatious. It seemed that everyone perceived things rather differently indeed.

“Since you object, Mr. Clinton, I won’t say things like that anymore,” Amelia said, sulking.

his teeth in frustration.

and opened her eyes wide, beseeching Oscar

for you

Clinton,” Amelia’s cry stopped Oscar in his

he asked, “What is

Clinton, I’m bored. I didn’t bring my phone with me to the hospital. Can I borrow

for a moment, then handed his phone to Amelia. “The password’s

looked at him. She refused to believe that that was his chosen

You can take a look if you’re bored. I’ll be off, then.”

you use my birthdate as your password? Don’t you know what kind of hope that raises in me? What if I can’t bear to let you go when

On the other, Amelia was afraid that they eventually would, and Oscar would take her baby away regardless of

depend on you for the rest of my life. I want a real relationship with you, not

of them taken when she was sleeping. In a few, a single blanket covered her bare body; in others, she had fallen asleep fully clothed. The photos of Amelia numbered more than a thousand in sheer variety. It was completely

from behind her as she walked ahead. Amelia could barely even recall

She’d always believed that Oscar liked her solely for her body. If he had absolutely no other feelings

had no affection whatsoever for her would

there were barely ten photos of Cassie. Besides a few

all the photos you have are of me. Doesn’t that mean that

call jolted

flashed across the screen. Upon

chatter floated across the line. “Oz, I went for a check-up with your secretary today. The doctor said that the baby’s very healthy.” A note of betrayal crept into her voice. “You promised that you’d come with me, but you’re always so occupied with work! I said that I’d be a model wife so I won’t blame you this time. Oz, the baby and I both miss you so much! Will you be

she could muster, Amelia said evenly, “Sorry, Ms. Yard, it’s Amelia. Oz, as you call him, has gone out to buy food

retorted, “Why are you

buy food for me,”

documented in a few photographs, how can

asked, “How did

the one who told me. Oz said you are, by far, the most filthy and disgusting woman he’s met. It’s not for me to judge

grew even paler. Her grip on the blanket tightened. “Ms. Yard, I don’t think it’s your place to comment on the kind of woman I am. Even if I’m cheating on Oscar, it’s up to him to decide if he wants to

Amelia. I’ll be Oz’s wife soon. No matter what, you’re the one

her ground valiantly. “So what? At least I’m still Oscar’s wife now. You’re the mistress he’s ashamed of. When word gets out, I don’t think the Yards will be too proud

“Don’t be too pleased with yourself either, Amelia. Do you know what Oscar told me this morning? He said that you were filthy and made him sick, and he hasn’t divorced

her jaw. “Ms. Yard, if you have nothing else to say to

waiting for a reply,

bags full of food, Amelia was facing away from the

his bags and pulled a chair over. He sat down

Oscar’s gesture of intimacy. She then asked, “Mr. Clinton,