You More than Anything in the World (Arissa)

“My dear child, you should have given me a call in advance,” said Olivia with disapproval, “So that I could send a driver to pick you up. Wasn’t Oscar keeping you company in the hospital? Where is he? Or did he leave after I left yesterday?” As she said this, displeasure shadowed over her face.

Amelia shook her head and quickly explained, “Mom, please don’t misunderstand. Oscar was with me the whole night. He left for the office because his secretary called to inform him that he had to be present for a project. Besides, I feel fine; I can just come back on my own.”

With that, Olivia’s tense expression eased a little. “I see, then that’s great. Amelia, if Oscar mistreats you, you must let me know. I will give him an earful.”

Amelia’s eyes watered, and she couldn’t help but hug Olivia. With a slight sob in her voice, she said, “Thank you, Mom. Thank you for still believing in me with all your heart, even after the whole ordeal with the photos. Thank you for your love and care throughout all these years. No matter what happens to Oscar and me, you will always be my mom.”

Olivia gave Amelia a light pat on her back and comforted her. “Silly child, why are you so sentimental all of a sudden?” she asked. “You have been my daughter-in-law for almost five years. I know very well what kind of a person you are. Sometimes pictures lie; I will only believe in what you say. So, do you have any romantic relations with the Scott heir?”

Amelia shook her head and said, “Mom, I have only ever wanted to be a good daughter for the Clinton family.”She went on to explain,

“Carter and I are merely friends who have known each other for many years. In fact, we have known each other since our university days. I don’t really know how to explain the context of these photos, but Mom, we are just ordinary friends.”

Just as Amelia finished, a mocking voice joined in their conversation. “Oh, so the adulteress is back? What she just said was so touching… I could cry.”

Amelia did not even need to raise her head to know who it was.

As Stephanie walked down from upstairs, Oliva watched her with slight annoyance and said, “Steph, stop spouting nonsense.”

Stephanie sat on the opposite sofa and rolled her eyes at Amelia. “Mom, did you think that I was just making things up?” she asked. “This woman has been having an affair with her boss, and she still had the audacity to fool you! I have never seen someone as shameless as she is! You’re the only one who thinks she’s precious. Have you seen any of our other family members being fond of her? At the very least, I find her absolutely disgusting.”

Amelia’s face fell.

Olivia’s frown deepened. “Steph, if you say one more word that is untrue, it’d be better if you’d just leave home,” she said with a stern expression.

Stephanie looked at her mom grudgingly and said, “Mom, just what do you like about her? You’d protect her to the extent of chastising your own daughter? I sometimes suspect that I am not your daughter, but she is instead.”

“Steph.”

An upset Stephanie continued, “Mom, am I wrong? Before she came to our house, I had been the apple of your eye, and you pampered me like a princess. But after she’d arrived, you changed completely! Did you keep count of how many times you have scolded me to defend her? I feel like she’s your daughter, and I’m an outsider who doesn’t belong to this family.”

“Steph, I know you don’t like me, but you shouldn’t doubt your mom’s love for you,” replied Amelia, feeling a little angry. “Her love for you is in no way inferior to any other mother. You’re making her sad with the way you’re talking to her.”

“As long as you are not a member of this family, we will be peaceful and harmonious like how we used to be,” Stephanie retorted condescendingly. “If you even have an ounce of dignity, leave this house and stop being an eyesore. After having photos like those taken… If I were you, I’d be ashamed to continue staying in this house.”

Amelia’s expression faltered even more.

she had clearly

As soon as she got angry, her chest would hurt. She put a hand over her chest to

to soothe her. “Mom, relax,” she said, “Don’t get agitated. Steph, hurry and get

medicine to her mother with a glass of warm water. “Mom, take

her medicine, Olivia started to feel

Please don’t be angry,”

can continue to prosper.” She went on and said, “Our family

“Mom, I did not wish to anger you on purpose. It’s just that she’s not good enough for Oscar. An exceptional man like

of woman

obvious? For me, the one who is the best for Oscar is Cassie.

one who betrayed your brother?

a loss for

as her sister-in-law instead. They had been childhood friends, and they had a lot of common topics that they could discuss.

ability to distinguish between right and wrong,” advised Olivia. “Amelia has treated you well

Stephanie was silent.

job. In the future, I will do my best to be a good

coldly, but she did not say

stairs. Noticing Amelia, who was seated beside his wife, a complicated look flashed across his eyes. He then put

Amelia,” he said

have not seen

that you were hospitalized yesterday. Do

sorry to have made the both of you worry. I am fine

and said, “Quit looking at Amelia so sternly; you’ll scare her. If anything happens to my grandchild in her belly, I’ll

Owen just laughed softly.

atmosphere somehow became heavy

then slowly said, “Dad, Mom, about the photographs, I am extremely sorry. However, I can explain it. Carter and I are just friends. I would not go behind Oscar’s

have no shame at

eyes flickered, and she said, “Steph, I know you don’t like me, but I

and he took great care of you in every aspect. Even the employees remarked that how he treated you has exceeded the boundaries

but she relaxed her

been investigating me?”

such a deplorable deed, why can’t I investigate you?” asked Stephanie as if it was a

glared at Stephanie and said, “Steph, stop

lips, but being afraid that she would upset her mom again, she chose to