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.

grit his teeth in frustration.

beseeching Oscar in a

go and buy it for

Amelia’s cry stopped Oscar in

asked, “What

me to the hospital. Can I borrow yours

moment, then handed his phone to Amelia.

at him. She refused to believe that that was

throat awkwardly, then said, “There are a couple of games inside. You can take a look if you’re bored. I’ll be

use my birthdate as your password? Don’t

the other, Amelia was afraid that they eventually would, and Oscar would take her baby away regardless of what he had promised

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

gingerly looked at Oscar’s 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

Amelia could barely even recall when these moments had taken place, let alone presented any opportunities

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

her would not possess so many photos of her.

realized with a start that there were barely ten photos of Cassie. Besides a few snapshots of scenery scattered here and there, the rest

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

an incoming call jolted

across the screen. Upon seeing it, Amelia’s heart immediately

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

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

for a moment. Then she retorted, “Why are you answering my call, Amelia? Where’s

to buy food

have no shame at all! After your blatant cheating affair at your company, which was even documented in a few photographs, how

paled. Shakily, she asked, “How did you know about the

course, Oz was the one who told me. Oz said you are, by far, the most filthy and disgusting woman he’s

your place to comment on the kind of woman I am. Even if I’m cheating on Oscar, it’s

wife soon. No matter what, you’re the one who’ll eventually

now. You’re the mistress he’s ashamed of. When word gets out,

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 you only because you’re pregnant. He didn’t think you’d be bold

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

waiting for a reply, Amelia immediately

was facing away from

her tear-stained face. Taken aback, Oscar hurriedly set down his bags and pulled a chair over. He

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