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

wide, beseeching Oscar in a cutesy tone, “Mr. Clinton,

buy it for you now,” Oscar replied as

Clinton,” Amelia’s cry stopped

he asked, “What is

I didn’t bring my phone with me to the hospital. Can I

then handed his phone to Amelia. “The

looked at him. She refused to believe that that

take a look if you’re bored.

his phone in shock. She muttered to herself, “Oscar, if you truly didn’t care for me, then why did 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 it’s

didn’t want to get a divorce. On the other, Amelia was afraid that they eventually would, and Oscar would take her baby away regardless of what he

want to depend on you for the rest of my life. I want a real relationship

was sleeping. In a few, a single

Amelia could barely even recall when these moments

her solely for her body. If he had absolutely no other feelings for her, however, then what could

had no affection whatsoever for her would not possess so many photos of her. It was like a

Cassie. Besides a few snapshots of scenery scattered here and there,

Oscar’s phone in her hand, she mumbled, “Oscar, all the photos you have are of me. Doesn’t that mean that you don’t hate me too much? Why

an incoming call jolted

Upon seeing it, Amelia’s heart

a while, then picked up. Cassie’s excited 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

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

was silent for a moment. Then she retorted,

to buy food for

cheating affair at your company, which was even documented in a few photographs, how

Shakily, she asked, “How did

me. Oz said 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 by

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

Amelia. I’ll be Oz’s wife soon. No

herself, Amelia stood her ground valiantly. “So what? At least I’m still Oscar’s wife now. You’re the mistress he’s ashamed of. When

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 enough to have an affair in your

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

a reply, Amelia

food, Amelia was facing away from the door

to be greeted by her tear-stained face. Taken aback, Oscar hurriedly set down his bags and pulled a chair over. He sat down and reached

then asked, “Mr. Clinton, have you bought the food yet?