Too Much To Bear My Love

“Mr. Clinton, when our divorce has been finalized, I won’t ask anything of you if you’ll let me have our child,” Amelia said.

“No,” Oscar refused without a moment’s hesitation. “I won’t allow a Clinton to be left out in the cold like this.”

Amelia’s eyes widened. She said incredulously, “But Mr. Clinton, Ms. Yard is already pregnant. If my child remains with the Clintons, what would he do without either of his parents by his side? Why won’t you let him come with me instead? He’ll only be another sticking point between Ms. Yard and yourself if he stays here.”

Oscar frowned, looking wrathful. “He’s a Clinton. He’s not a sticking point,” he declared.

A sardonic grin appeared on Amelia’s face. She said scornfully, “What he’ll have instead of real parents are a stepmother and a stepfather. Mr. Clinton, you and Ms. Yard have children of your own. What makes you think that you’d be able to care for mine on the same level?”

Oscar’s frown deepened. “You’ve gravely misunderstood Cassie. At the rate this conversation is going, there’s no way it can end well. Perhaps we should discuss this when you’ve calmed down a bit more.”

Amelia wriggled out of his embrace. “I’m perfectly calm now, Mr. Clinton, so I would like to discuss this now.”

Oscar looked at her wordlessly.

Amelia pressed on, insisting, “We didn’t even consider the possibility of having a child when we signed our marriage papers all those years ago. Why can’t you revert to that original mindset now that we’re divorced? I’ll leave with no strings attached. All I want is my child.”

Amelia paused and took a deep breath. Then she continued, “You’ll have other children with Ms. Yard. But this may be the only child I’ll ever have in my life. If you’ve ever loved me even a little, please give me custody of him.”

Oscar continued looking at her.

“Will you, Mr. Clinton? Say something.” Amelia returned his gaze resolutely.

Oscar fished for a cigarette. As he brought it to his lips, however, he suddenly remembered the doctor’s orders not to smoke in the presence of a pregnant lady. He lowered his cigarette again.

Oscar got off the bed, crossing over to the couch, then sat down. Matter-of-factly, he said, “Amelia, don’t we have a rather good arrangement now? When you asked for romance, I created countless swoon-worthy moments for you. When you got pregnant, I permitted you to carry the child to term. If money is what you want, I’ll see to it that you receive a hefty sum upon the finalization of the divorce. You can lead a carefree existence for the rest of your life. These are riches some women can’t even dream of. Tell me, what is it that you’re lacking?”

Amelia laughed bitterly. Her label as a gold digger now eclipsed her. She couldn’t blame Oscar for thinking she could be bought off by money.

When she had married Oscar four years ago, she never once imagined they’d get divorced one day, much less under such tumultuous circumstances.

“Mr. Clinton, I only want the child,” Amelia repeated firmly.

“You can have him, but I’ll freeze every one of your accounts. You won’t be able to take a single cent with you,” Oscar threatened. In his mind’s eye, he thought Amelia’s grubby personality would immediately back off when faced with this threat to her wealth. He thus never saw her reply coming.

“Great. I hope you’ll honor your word, Mr. Clinton,” Amelia replied without missing a beat.

Astonished, Oscar looked at her and asked, “Are you certain of this?”

Amelia simply nodded.

time, but it isn’t insignificant either. I’m thirty now, and I’ve given you some of the best years of my youth. I’ll never regret having met you. Let’s save ourselves the sleepless nights and finalize our divorce in five days. And please help me to convey my thanks to your mom. She’s always treated me well, and I

Menacingly, he asked, “Are you that eager to get

and said, “A love triangle will always leave victims in its wake, Mr. Clinton. I’m already at the losing end, so I don’t wish to prolong

want to get a divorce now. As for the child, I’ll let you have him, but as far

evenly, “If you no longer love me, Mr. Clinton, then why do

face absently. “Leave that up to

head. “Mr. Clinton, has anybody ever told you that you’re

the first, but I like the sound of it. You’re my

left her feeling most helpless. Trying another tactic, she lowered her gaze and meekly pleaded, “Have mercy on me, Mr.

Flatly, he intoned, “You were just discharged. Stay at home and rest. I’ll be heading out for

it was, in fact, Cassie who was on his mind. However, she refused to concern herself with that. In the brief exchange that had just occurred, she had allowed herself to think that there was a

in Oscar

left, Amelia sat dejectedly on the bed. Suddenly, the shrill ringing of the phone startled her out

When she picked it up, Carter’s name flashed luminously across her screen. She

the call.

Carter asked anxiously, “Have

Carter. I’ve barely worked for a month at your company, and I’ve already taken half a month’s worth of leave. Perhaps

you. It’s a small matter, so don’t take it to heart. Your health is of paramount importance. By the way, if you’re still interested in going to Saspiuburg for training, I’ll

Amelia was silent.

you for all the help you’ve given me, but I don’t think I should go to Saspiuburg.

“All right,” Carter agreed.

body’s mostly recovered, and I can actually return to work tomorrow. Will that be okay

“Silly, enough of your nonsense. If you feel up to it, come in

“Okay.”

that fearless iron lady I used to know. I look forward

won’t let my personal issues affect

I’ll hang up

whispered, “Sweetheart, your daddy’s determined to marry Cassie. It’s not that Mommy wants to give up, but I am always destined to come out poorer from

for all her trouble. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep, but the unending clamor of her

was in this

six in the evening when she was woken up by the maid for dinner. After she had gotten pregnant, she was prone to long bouts of drowsiness. She found herself wrestling frequently with her increasingly heavy eyelids. Hence, going

wash-up. She then changed into

smiled and made

better. Why are you here all alone?

up at work. His employee had called him back to

saw right through Amelia’s reply to the

came up at work. One of Oscar’s secretaries had personally called to inform him of it,”

her. “Since Oscar is busy, we shan’t wait for him to eat dinner then. It’s late, and my