Too Much to Bear, My Love
Chapter 67

“Don't trouble yourself, Mom. I can take care of myself. I'll be back inhalf an hour,” Amelia protested genially.

Seeing that Amelia was resolute, Olivia reluctantly agreed.

After Amelia had left, Olivia's face resumed its vexed expression. “Didyou see Steph’s behavior just now? She has no manners and doesn'tbehave like a lady at all.”

Ever the mediator, Owen said, "All right, let's not get all worked up.Steph has disliked Amelia all along. We'll invite Amelia over less oftento prevent such squabbles from happening again. It puts you in adifficult position as well.”

Olivia bristled and snapped back at Owen, “What are you talkingabout? Amelia's part of our family. Along with Oscar, she'll be theowner of this house in the future. What do you mean by inviting herover less often? Besides, the two of you are always so busy with yourown lives. Who do I have to talk to other than Amelia? Or would youprefer I leave with her?”

Bemused, Owen replied, “Don't get hysterical, Olivia. I just don't wantan outsider to drive a wedge between your daughter and yourself. Youwouldn't want Steph to hate you, would you?"

Olivia was silent.

“Let's eat. The children can handle their own affairs,” Owen said kindly.Olivia once again resumed eating. By way of soothing his wife, Owensaid, “When Steph is back, you can talk things out with her. Steph hasbeen spoilt since she was young and must be feeling jealous now thatyour attention’s shifted to someone else. I can understand why she’sobjected so strongly to Amelia's presence here.”

Olivia nodded.

Amelia had wandered to the little artificial lake within the Clintons’grounds. Drawing nearer, however, she noticed a tall, slender figurealready standing there. It was none other than Stephanie.

Amelia hesitated. She considered retreating soundlessly back the wayshe came, but Stephanie had already turned in Amelia's direction as sheapproached. Their gazes met.

It's the clash of the titans!

The thought sprung unbidden to Amelia's mind.

Stephanie's eyes gleamed with hatred. She marched over, exclaiming,“Amelia, you're really something! Not only have you seduced mybrother, but you've also managed to get my mom under your thumb.You must be pleased with yourself.”

Amelia gazed at Stephanie for a moment, then said serenely, “Steph,I've always treated you like family. I don't know what I did to make youhate me so much, but I've constantly been trying to win you over. Ihope you can give me a chance.”

Stephanie folded her arms across her chest. “Amelia, do you know whatit is that I hate most about you? You're clearly a gold digger, yet you'reconstantly playing the victim to gain sympathy. It annoys me to noend.”

Amelia walked over to the side of the lake. She took a deep breath,then turned and said, “Steph, if I really wanted to get rid of you, I have athousand and one other ways to turn your own mother against you. It'sup to you whether you choose to believe me or not.”

Stephanie sneered, “Are you threatening me?”

Amelia shook her head. “I'm not. I rather hope that we can coexist inpeace. Your mother is very kind to me, and I don’t want to make thingsdifficult for her. I hope that you'll stop throwing a tantrum whenever wemeet.”

Derisively, Stephanie said, “And what if I refuse?”

“I've checked. There are cameras installed in every corner of the Clintonresidence. This lake is the only place on the grounds without any. If Ithrew myself in right now and accused you of pushing me in, which oneof us do you think your family will believe?” Amelia said.

Enraged, Stephanie shouted, “Amelia, are you really low enough tostoop to such underhand tricks? Are you really asking to be thrown intothe lake? I'll grant your wish and push you in for real. It won't matterwhat my parents think as long as you drown to your death. They'll replacea way to cover it up for me.”

Stephanie looked at Amelia, daring her to reply.

Amelia was slightly taken aback. She'd never imagined that Stephaniewould be reckless enough to even speak of killing her out loud.“Stephanie, it seems that you're not just a spoiled rich girl after all;you're also a foolish woman who is far more confident in yourself thanyou have any right to be.”

Stephanie said disdainfully, “Coward! I just said that to frighten you. Doyou think that your devious plans will work? Even if you do get throwninto the lake, my parents will only be mad at me for a few days. Do youthink you're really that important to them?”

Amelia retorted, “Why don’t you ask your mother just how important Iam to her? Or don't you already know the answer?”

Provoked, Stephanie cried, “You...”

Amelia had walked away, but she turned back and gave the former asidelong glance. “Stephanie, if I were you, I wouldn't do anything tohumiliate me in front of your mother. It only makes her feel for memore. If you truly want to sabotage someone, do it more subtly. Yourincessant whining only makes you look like a silly b*tch yapping away.”With her arms akimbo, Stephanie replied vehemently, “Amelia, if youcontinue to incite me like this, don't blame me if I knock you over andcause a miscarriage!”

“Push me then, please, if you don't mind your parents packing you offoverseas and your brother cutting off all ties with you forever,” Ameliareplied. “Mr. Clinton's going to divorce me soon, anyway, and I can'ttake my child with me.”

Stephanie's chest heaved as she gnashed her teeth with rage. “Amelia,has anyone ever told you that you're absolutely despicable?”

Amelia merely shrugged. “Thanks for the compliment, but no one’sactually ever told me that.”

Stephanie drew her hand back in a swift motion, fully intending to landa slap on Amelia's face. However, her hand was caught in mid-air byAmelia. The latter brandished her swollen belly in front of Stephanie,saying, “Watch yourself, Steph. Your mother's looked forward to thisgrandchild for the longest time. If anything happens to him, you'll bestuck overseas while I get to stay right here. Within a few years, you'llreplace yourself working for your own money.”

Stephanie wrenched her hand away from Amelia“s grip. She leaned inand said, “Amelia, don’t be so shameless. Try to enjoy it while it lasts.Cassie's coming back. It's time for you to scamper back to wherever youbelong.”

Amelia shrugged again. “Don’t worry about me. Even if I get divorced,your brother will be giving me a hefty sum nonetheless.”

“You shameless gold digger,” Stephanie snarled. “You make me sick.You'd better get out of my sight before I make you.”

She then swaggered off.

Amelia watched her retreating figure for a while, then raised her eyestoward the starry night sky. She sighed heavily.

That was how the maid found her after a long time.

Amelia followed her back to the house where Olivia was waiting. Shedashed forward and clasped Amelia, saying, “What in the world wereyou doing? It's gotten so late!”

“The moon was lovely tonight. I was so caught up watching itsreflection shimmering in the lake that I must have lost track of timesomehow. I'm sorry to have worried you,” Amelia said apologetically.Olivia said indulgently, “Now that you're pregnant, you shouldn't bewandering off by yourself. If you want to take a walk tomorrow, let meaccompany you at least.”

Amelia returned her smile. “Mom, I'm going back to work tomorrow. Ifeel bad for taking half a month's leave when I'm merely a newemployee. If it weren't because of Carter, I'd have been fired long ago.”Olivia furrowed her brows and made as if to speak. Amelia quicklycontinued, “Mom, I rather like this job. Besides, if I don't go to work, I'donly be letting my thoughts run wild all day.”

Olivia had no choice but to agree. However, she chided, “Amelia, youcan go ahead to work, but don't hesitate to resign if it's taking a toll onyou. If you're bored, I can always get Oscar to give you a sinecure atClinton Corporations. Don't tire yourself out.”

Amelia said gaily, “Don’t worry, Mom. I know my limits; I'l take care ofmyself.”

Olivia nodded in approval.

“I'm a little tired now. I'll head upstairs first to rest,” Amelia said.

"Go ahead then. I noticed that you didn’t eat much for dinner. If youget hungry in the middle of the night, I'll get the maid to prepare alight supper for you,” Olivia said reassuringly.

Amelia nodded.

She slowly walked up the stairs. The moment she entered the bedroom,she received a call from Oscar. Amelia picked up the phone only to begreeted by Cassie's voice on the other end of the line.

“Amelia, Oz has gone to take a shower. He'll be staying over at myplace tonight. He asked me to call and tell you to be careful over at theClintons’. Be sure not to slip and fall, or you'll squash that lump insideof you for sure,” Cassie said rudely.

Amelia's fists clenched. Her reply, however, was breezy. “Ms. Yard, didyou call me just to show off?”

“I'm sorry. I don't have that much time on my hands. I just wanted totell you that in my eyes, you're nothing but another failure. So what ifOz saw those photos of mine? He's so in love with me that he thinks I'mstill that innocent girl of yore. That's something that you definitelywon't be able to convince him of about you.”

Amelia almost flung her phone aside in anger. She forced herself totake a deep breath, however, and swallowed her rage. “Congratulations,Ms. Yard. Be warned, though, that your sins will eventually replace you out.Someday someone will catch you at one of those seedy places youfrequent. You might be able to explain it away the first or second time,but it'll get old real quick.”

“That's not your area of concern. Even if I go to those seedy places asyou say, I'll bring Oz with me.”

“That'll be nice. Ms. Yard, if you have nothing else to say to me, I'll hangup now,” Amelia said. The exhaustion accumulated from the night'shappenings was catching up with her.

“Wait,” Cassie said urgently.

“Anything else I can help you with, Ms. Yard?” Amelia inquiredsarcastically.

“If you know what's best for yourself, divorce Oz now. Don’t hangaround and wait to be chased out, though that is what going to happeneventually.”

“Don't you worry about me, Ms. Yard,” Amelia replied easily. “Yourposition as the Clintons’ daughter-in-law is more precarious than mine.His mom loves me, and it so happens that you're not in her good booksat the moment.”

"You..."

“Ms. Yard, allow me to wish you and Mr. Clinton a good night. Treasureit; I'm afraid you won't be having too many more of such happy daystogether.” Having said that, Amelia firmly hung up the phone

She threw the phone aside, feeling her strength utterly drain from her.Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes, threatening to spill over.

She wasn't as upset about her misfortune as she was over the fact thatso few people cared. Her own husband was in love with anotherwoman; the entire Clinton family, besides Olivia, was entirely on hisside. She was constantly treated as an outsider. And even though theClintons knew that she was pregnant, none of them had truly rejoicedfor her.

When Cassie had gotten pregnant, not only did the Clintons not shameher for it, but they had actually rallied in her defense. Amelia had alwaysscorned soap operas for being unrealistic, never imagining that her ownlife would be far more dramatic than some exposés.

No one envied the rich man's wife for her role. Over the years, the prideand self-confidence that she had at the start had been so battered andbruised that nearly nothing of it was left.

Another sigh escaped her. She was at a complete loss. At that moment,it seemed as if the path ahead lay entirely obscured in shadow.

Amelia collapsed onto the bed, fully dressed, and closed her eyes.Amidst her scattered thoughts, a single tear emerged and tumbleddown her cheek.

Oscar returned home at around two in the morning. He gently pushedthe door open, entered, then shut it softly behind him. Tiptoeing overto the bed, he saw Amelia curled up like a hedgehog in full defensivemode. Her cheeks were still stained with the tears that she must haveunknowingly shed through the night, dreaming of the saddest things.Oscar's heart twinged. He bent down, wiped away her tears tenderly,and kissed her on her lips.