Too Much to Bear, My Love
Chapter 64

“Oscar, these were all my orchestra mates. After our final performance,we had a celebratory dinner where everyone had too much to drink. Wewere playing a game where the loser had to be kissed, no matter menor women. I did share a little kiss with a female colleague as well, but Idon't know why they only took pictures of me with my male colleagues.You can go and investigate yourself if you don't trust me. Oscar, you arethe only one that I love in my life. That is the truth. Now that I ampregnant with your child, I don't want you to misunderstand me justbecause of a few photos.”

Oscar picked up a photo of Cassie passionately kissing someone at abar. His voice betrayed not a trace of his emotions as he said, “Cassie,I'd always thought that you were pure and innocent. When I had sexwith you a month ago, there was real blood on the bedsheet. But couldyou explain to me what was going on in this picture?”

"Oz, I can explain. It was my roommate Julie's birthday, and we decidedto party at the bar. Before we knew it, we were carried away by the bar'satmosphere and had too much to drink. I don't know how I ended upkissing that person in the picture, but I can guarantee that nothinghappened after that. Oz, when I left you to go to Erihal, I was verydown, and I thought that I'd never meet another man that could makeme fall in love so deeply. All I wanted to do was to let loose so I went toall the bars and clubs. I wanted to replace a man for a quick one-nightstand but you remained in my mind. All I shared with those men was akiss, and nothing else. You have to believe me, Oz. You are the only onein my heart. I've really never slept with anyone else.”

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she spoke. Even Amelia could not helpbut praise her acting skills. With her looks, figure, and acting skills, it isa waste for her to not join the entertainment industry.

Oscar frowned and before he could speak, Olivia said, “Ms. Yard, youhave excellent acting chops there. Regular men would definitely fall forit. However, our family is a proper business family, and we cannot allowsuch a wild woman into our family.”

Elizabeth scowled with displeasure. “Olivia, I don't like what you areimplying there. Our financial capacity is not that far behind yours, andour Cassie is a pure and innocent girl. So what if you have thosepictures? They're all from the past and they took place when she wassingle.”

Olivia laughed. “Liz, we have been good friends for years. To be honest,I am not as big-hearted as you are. For you to say that shows that youare very patient and magnanimous. However, as a mother, I cannothandle the misgiving that my son could be cheated on in the future. Wecan't afford to have a girl that is so wild and frivolous. Who knows if shewould cheat on my son in the future? Nobody can be certain aboutthat.”

The Yards’ expression darkened.

“Olivia, that is too much. We've been friends for years and you'vewatched Cassie grow up. Shouldn't you know what kind of person sheis by now?” Charlie finally spoke up. Charlie and Olivia were universityfriends and they shared quite a solid friendship. Olivia met Owenthrough Charlie, so she was still willing to respect him.

Olivia sighed. “Charlie, it's not that I have insulted you. Look at how youbarged in today. Not only did you destroy Oscar and Amelia's marriage,but you also made Cassie become the mistress. Is that what youwanted?”

“Olivia, I don't want Cassie to be the hated mistress either. However,Cassie and Oscar love each other, and I cannot bring it upon myself toseparate them. You are Oscar's mother, so how could you just stand byand watch him miss out on his happiness?”

Olivia smirked. “I thought you were the most logical person out of allthe people here, Charlie. I did not expect you to turn out to be just likeLiz and allow your daughter to do anything she wants. I don't careabout Cassie's character, but she cannot blame things on Oscar. Yes,our families’ standings are similar, but my son already has a wife, andthey are welcoming their own baby soon. If you still have any ounce ofself-respect, please bring Cassie with you as you leave now. Otherwise, Iwill have worse things to say about you.”

Elizabeth's face darkened instantly.

"You can't say that, Olivia. Cassie and Oscar were in love back then, andit was Oscar who requested for Cassie to come back now. On top ofthat, she is pregnant with Oscar's child, and that is why we came heredespite the shame. If not for Oscar looking for Cassie despite beingmarried, our daughter would have never been someone else's mistress.Are you trying to break off our friendship here?” Elizabeth questionedOlivia grimly.

Olivia was prepared to burn all bridges today. No matter what, shewould never allow Cassie to marry into the family. Cassie was thewoman who abandoned Oscar at the altar and made the Clintons thelaughing stock of the upper echelons. The mere thought of thatdisgusted her. She could have just thrown Cassie out of the door if notfor her consideration for the Yards’ reputation.

However, she had to go for broke with the Yards right now. She had nochoice as based on her son's character, he could very well abandon hiswife to marry Cassie.

Olivia sighed. “Liz, Charlie, I didn't want to mean, but Oscar willdefinitely not marry Cassie. I am very satisfied with my daughter-in-law,Amelia, and I will never allow them to be divorced. It was probably anight of confusion for Oscar and Cassie. How about this? Let's assumethat Cassie is really pregnant. We will conduct a DNA test when thebaby is born. If the baby really is Oscar's, we will bring up the child. Ontop of that, we will provide Cassie with allowance.”

Elizabeth was so angry her face turned slightly green.

“Olivia, don't cross the line here. Our daughter is not to be abused likethat. Now that she is pregnant, you Clintons definitely have to bear theresponsibility. Otherwise, our families will become enemies, and I willspare no expenses to seek justice for Cassie.”

With that, Elizabeth looked at Oscar and said, “Oscar, you're the personin question here. What do you think? Just tell me whether you aremarrying Cassie. We are still a reputable family and we won't houndyou, but I'll tell you now that I will not just leave it as it is.”

Oscar looked at Elizabeth calmly and said, “Mrs. Yard, I will handle thisproperly, and I will take care of Cassie's child. Stop making a scene hereif you trust me. Otherwise, Cassie should just abort the child.”

Cassie looked at him begrudgingly with red eyes and said, “Oz, you saidyou would marry me. Was it just to make me happy?”

Oscar replied patiently, “Be good, Cassie. Go back with your parentsfirst. I'll look for you later tonight.”

Cassie bit her lips and nodded before saying amenably to her parents,“Mom, Dad, let's go back. Ms. Winters was just discharged from thehospital today and we shouldn't have been here in the first place. Idon't want your friendship with Mr. and Mrs. Clinton to be severed justbecause of me. You can’t burn all bridges because of my wilfulness.”Elizabeth was about to protest but her husband tugged her dress. Shehad no choice but to get up and take her leave.

Before she left, she said, “Olivia, Cassie is our only child. If Oscar marriesher, everything that we have will become yours. Don't cut off thisfinancial route just because of a moment of anger. It's not worth it.”With that, the Yards left.

Gloom hung across the Clintons’ living room.

Amelia mustered a smile and said, “Mom, I'm so sorry that you have tostand up to the Yards because of a useless daughter-in-law like me.”“Silly girl, Oscar wronged you in the first place.” Mrs. Clinton sighed andsaid, “Amelia, don't blame Oscar. There are times when men just can'tcontrol their lower bodies. Even if Cassie is pregnant, you are still ouronly daughter-in-law, so don't worry.”

Amelia shook her head and said graciously, “Mom, I'm fine. Don't getagitated because of me. It's not worth it.”

Olivia sighed and looked at Oscar disapprovingly. “Oscar, rememberwhat I am about to say now. The Clinton family will only acknowledgeAmelia as our daughter-in-law. If you still have unfinished business withother women, you can forget about calling me Mom for the rest of yourlife.”

Oscar remained silent.

“Why, do you still want to continue your affair with Cassie?”

“Mom, Cassie is already pregnant with my child. I can't just abandonher,” Oscar said.

“Oscar, don't forget that Amelia is your wife and she is pregnant withyour child too. Arent you worried about hurting her when you saythings like this in front of her? When have I ever taught you to be sucha beast?” Olivia rebuked him woefully. She did not expect Oscar to beso fixated with Cassie.

“What is it about Cassie that made you willing to abandon your ownwife?” Olivia could not understand it at all. “I've spent a lot of money toget these photos, and you still can't see what kind of woman she is?You are an intelligent man, so you shouldn't be easily misled by herwords.”

Oscar stood up and said, “Mom, I'll settle my relationship mattersmyself. Even if I were to divorce Amelia, I will make sure that she willnot be in want for the rest of her life. Don't worry about that.”

Olivia clutched onto her tightening chest and panted slightly. Instantly,Owen pulled Olivia into his arms and instructed Oscar grimly, “Get Mr.Lancester here this very instant.”

Oscar immediately made the call.

“Get out, you jinx! My mom would not be like this if not for you!"Stephanie dashed forward and shoved Amelia aside.

Amelia nearly fell to the ground.

Olivia's chest tightened further at that sight. She stared at Stephanieand muttered with much difficulty, “Stephanie Clinton, she is yoursister-in-law, and she is pregnant. If anything happens to her, youmight as well kill me too.”

Stephanie bit on her lip furiously as she stared at Olivia. “Mom, I amyour daughter, how could you—"

Owen picked up Olivia in one fell swoop and reprimanded Stephanie,“Steph, shut up. Can't you see that your mother's suffering a relapse?”Stephanie bit her lip aggrievedly.