Too Much to Bear, My Love - Season 1 Episode 67

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

Seeing that Amelia was resolute, Olivia reluctantly agreed.

After Amelia had left, Olivia’s face resumed its vexed expression. “Did you see Steph’s behavior just now? She has no manners and doesn’t behave 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 often to prevent such squabbles from happening again. It puts you in a difficult position as well.”

Olivia bristled and snapped back at Owen, “What are you talking about? Amelia’s part of our family. Along with Oscar, she’ll be the owner of this house in the future. What do you mean by inviting her over less often? Besides, the two of you are always so busy with your own lives. Who do I have to talk to other than Amelia? Or would you prefer I leave with her?”

Bemused, Owen replied, “Don’t get hysterical, Olivia. I just don’t want an outsider to drive a wedge between your daughter and yourself. You wouldn’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, Owen said, “When Steph is back, you can talk things out with her. Steph has been spoilt since she was young and must be feeling jealous now that your attention’s shifted to someone else. I can understand why she’s objected 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 figure already standing there. It was none other than Stephanie.

Amelia hesitated. She considered retreating soundlessly back the way she came, but Stephanie had already turned in Amelia’s direction as she approached. 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 my brother, 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 you hate me so much, but I’ve constantly been trying to win you over. I hope you can give me a chance.”

Stephanie folded her arms across her chest. “Amelia, do you know what it is that I hate most about you? You’re clearly a gold digger, yet you’re constantly playing the victim to gain sympathy. It annoys me to no end.”

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 a thousand and one other ways to turn your own mother against you. It’s up to you whether you choose to believe me or not.”

Stephanie sneered, “Are you threatening me?”

coexist in peace. Your mother is very kind to me, and I don’t want to make things difficult

Stephanie said, “And what

grounds without any. If I threw myself in right now and accused you of pushing me in, which one of us do you think your family will believe?” Amelia

shouted, “Amelia, are you really low enough to stoop to such underhand tricks? Are you really asking to be thrown into the lake? I’ll grant your wish and push

looked at Amelia, daring her to

She’d never imagined that Stephanie would be reckless enough to

you’re not just a spoiled rich girl after all; you’re also a foolish woman who is far more confident in yourself than you have any

you think that your devious plans will work? Even if you do get thrown into the lake, my parents will only be mad at me for a few days. Do you

important I am to her? Or

Provoked, Stephanie cried, “You…”

and gave the former a sidelong glance. “Stephanie, if I were you, I wouldn’t do anything to humiliate me in front of your mother. It only makes her feel for me more. If you truly want to sabotage someone, do it more subtly. Your incessant whining only makes you

you continue to incite me like this, don’t blame

ties with

heaved as she gnashed her teeth with rage.

compliment, but no one’s actually ever

However, her hand was caught in mid-air by Amelia. The latter brandished her swollen belly in front of Stephanie, saying, “Watch yourself, Steph. Your mother’s looked forward to this grandchild for the longest time. If anything happens to him, you’ll be stuck overseas while I get to stay right here. Within a few years, you’ll

leaned in and said, “Amelia, don’t be so shameless. Try to enjoy it while

get divorced, your brother will be giving me a

“You make me sick. You’d better get out of my sight before I make

She then swaggered off.

watched her retreating figure for a while, then raised her eyes toward the starry night sky.

the maid found her after a

dashed forward and clasped Amelia, saying,

I was so caught up watching its reflection shimmering in the lake that I must have lost track

by yourself. If you want

tomorrow. I feel bad for taking half a month’s leave when I’m merely a new employee. If it weren’t because of Carter, I’d have been

quickly continued, “Mom, I rather like this

she chided, “Amelia, you can go ahead to work, but don’t hesitate to resign if it’s taking a toll on you. If you’re bored, I can always get Oscar to

gaily, “Don’t worry, Mom. I know my limits;

Olivia nodded in approval.

little tired now. I’ll head upstairs

didn’t eat much for dinner. If you get hungry in the middle of the night, I’ll

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 be greeted 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 my place tonight. He asked me to call and tell you to be careful over at the Clintons’. Be sure not to slip and fall, or you’ll squash that lump inside of you for sure,” Cassie said rudely.

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

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

Amelia almost flung her phone aside in anger. She forced herself to take a deep breath, however, and swallowed her rage. “Congratulations, Ms. Yard. Be warned, though, that your sins will eventually find you out. Someday someone will catch you at one of those seedy places you frequent. 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 as you say, I’ll bring Oz with me.”

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

“Wait,” Cassie said urgently.

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

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

“Don’t you worry about me, Ms. Yard,” Amelia replied easily. “Your position 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 books at the moment.”

“You…”

“Ms. Yard, allow me to wish you and Mr. Clinton a good night. Treasure it; I’m afraid you won’t be having too many more of such happy days together.” 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 that so few people cared. Her own husband was in love with another woman; the entire Clinton family, besides Olivia, was entirely on his side. She was constantly treated as an outsider. And even though the Clintons knew that she was pregnant, none of them had truly rejoiced for her.

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

No one envied the rich man’s wife for her role. Over the years, the pride and self-confidence that she had at the start had been so battered and bruised 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 tumbled down her cheek.