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

beseeching Oscar in a cutesy

right, hang on. I’ll go and buy it for you now,” Oscar replied as he headed

Clinton,” Amelia’s cry stopped

he asked, “What is

bring my phone with me to the hospital. Can I borrow yours to

then handed his phone to Amelia. “The password’s your

to believe that that was his chosen

awkwardly, then said, “There are a couple of games inside. You can take a look if you’re bored. I’ll be off, then.” He turned quickly on his

why did you use my birthdate as

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

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

a single blanket covered her bare body; in others, she had fallen asleep fully clothed. The photos of Amelia numbered more than

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

grew moist. She’d always believed that Oscar liked 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

a few snapshots of scenery scattered here and there, the rest of Oscar’s photo album was practically a

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 can’t we spend the

call jolted Amelia out of her brief

screen. Upon seeing it, Amelia’s heart immediately

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 you this time. Oz, the baby and I both miss you so much! Will

blanket. She bit her lip with such fury that it almost drew blood. With what strength she could muster, Amelia said evenly, “Sorry, Ms. Yard, it’s Amelia. Oz,

a moment. Then she retorted, “Why are you

buy food for

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

“How did you know

it? Of course, Oz was the one who told me. Oz said you are, by far, the most filthy and disgusting woman

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 divorce me.

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

mistress he’s ashamed of. When word gets out, I don’t think the Yards will 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

nothing else to say to

waiting for a reply, Amelia immediately ended the

few bags full of food, Amelia was facing away from the door with the blanket over her. He didn’t

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

She then asked, “Mr. Clinton, have you bought the food yet? I’m