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.

beseeching Oscar in

hang on. I’ll go and buy it for you

cry stopped Oscar in

around, he asked,

phone with me to the hospital. Can I

moment, then handed his

Amelia looked at him. She refused to believe

a look if you’re bored. I’ll be off, then.” He turned quickly on his

care for me, then why did you use my birthdate as your password? Don’t you know what kind of hope that

a divorce. On the other, Amelia was afraid that they eventually

could, I would want to depend on you for the rest of my life. I want

phone, then opened his photo album. As she scrolled through it, she realized to her surprise that it contained many photos of her, most 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 unlike the Oscar she knew to

from behind her as she walked ahead. Amelia could barely even recall when these moments had taken place, let

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

anything she had that a man who had no affection whatsoever for her would not possess so many photos of her. It was like

of Cassie. Besides a few snapshots of scenery scattered here and there, the rest of Oscar’s

you have are of me. Doesn’t that mean that you don’t hate me too much? Why can’t

jolted Amelia out of

across the screen. Upon seeing it,

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

that it almost drew blood. With what strength she could muster, Amelia said evenly, “Sorry, Ms. Yard, it’s Amelia. Oz, as you call him, has gone out to

retorted, “Why are you answering

to buy food

your company, which was even documented in a few photographs, how can you be so shameless as to stay

“How did

you are, by far, the most filthy and disgusting woman he’s met. It’s not for me to judge a gold-digger, but going for two men at the same time? That’s remarkably greedy, even

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

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

least I’m still Oscar’s wife now. You’re the mistress he’s ashamed of. When word gets out, I don’t

you were filthy and made him sick, and he hasn’t divorced you only because you’re pregnant. He didn’t think you’d be bold

have nothing else

waiting for a reply,

few bags full of food, Amelia was facing away from the door with the blanket

Taken aback, Oscar hurriedly set down his bags and pulled a chair over. He sat down and reached over to dab the tears from her cheeks. “Why are

up, brushing aside Oscar’s gesture of intimacy. She then asked, “Mr.