Too Much to Bear, My Love

Amelia looked at Oscar and asked, “Mr. Clinton, what's wrong?”

Oscar replied, “There's too many people here.”

Amelia took his hand and started swinging it like a love-struck idiot. She laughingly commented, “Mr. Clinton, you negotiate with people every day and handles accounts in the millions. I didn't know you'd be scared of crowds.”

“I'm not scared of crowds; I just don't like them. It's noisy.”

Amelia held his hand more firmly and laughed. “Mr. Clinton, I'm sorry you have to suffer through the crowds today, but I'm the birthday girl and you promised to spend the whole day with me.”

Oscar pinched her nose lightly. “I've been neglecting you all this while; I'm making it up to you now for my past actions.”

Amelia chuckled. Though she knew Oscar's affectionate behavior was but a temporary change, she was willing to indulge herself in his attentiveness.

“Mr. Clinton, thank you for today. This is the first time in our four years of marriage that you've acted like a real husband.”

Oscar glanced at her and asked in a puzzled tone, “Did I not treat you well in the past? I've been giving you a sizable allowance and I've always asked my secretary to buy you anything that you fancy. I'm not too sure if other rich men would be so kind to their toys.”

Amelia pursed her lips. “Mr. Clinton, like you said, you've treated me like a toy in the past. Today though, you're treating me like a wife. And as a wife, of course, I'm happy when you're being a romantic.”

Oscar pondered her words.

Amelia lifted her head and glanced at him. “It's okay, Mr. Clinton. Just take my words with a pinch of salt. After tonight, we'll be back to being contractors in a transactional relationship. There will be nothing more to it.”

Displeasure flashed across Oscar's eyes.

“Amelia, do you not trust me?”

“Mr. Clinton, this is not a matter of trust. Your heart belongs to someone else"—as if to make her point, she pointed to his heart—"and no amount of effort is going to let me change that. It's much easier if we just treat this as a contract.”

Oscar fell silent.

He appraised Amelia's unusually calm demeanor, an indescribable emotion taking hold of him—an impulsive urge to pull her into his arms and say that he would not divorce her. But just as he lifted his arms, an image of Cassie flashed across his mind, washing away that feeling.

At that moment, Amelia’s phone started ringing. It was Tiffany.

“Tiff,” Amelia answered.

"Happy birthday, Babe! I was rushing a deadline yesterday and I almost forgot to send you a wish on your birthday. Come over, I've prepared a birthday cake for you.” Tiffany's cheerful voice came through the receiver.

Amelia smiled. “Okay, I'll be over in a jiff.”

Tiffany continued talking for a while, with Amelia voicing her agreement several times.

Hanging up the phone, Amelia looked at Oscar and said smilingly, “Mr. Clinton, thank you for the surprise you've prepared for me today. I really liked it. Tiff's prepared a cake for me as well and I'd like to go visit her. Do you wanna head home first? Or you can go visit Cassie if you like.”

Oscar grabbed her hand, much to Amelia's shock. “Didnt you say you're the birthday girl and I'm not to leave your side the entire day? Let's go then.”

Amelia's smile was radiant. “Okay, let's go.”

Oscar drove them to Tiffany's neighborhood. He parked the car and together they went up to her place.

When Tiffany opened the door, she froze at the sight of Oscar standing next to Amelia. Amelia merely smiled and said, “I'll tell you inside.” Tiffany let them into her place.

After closing the door, Tiffany folded her arms and addressed Oscar, “Mr. Clinton, I hope you don’t mind my humble digs or I'll have to invite you out.”

Oscar was nonplussed at Tiffany's sarcasm as he surveyed her modest home.

Amelia tugged on Tiffany's sleeve. “Tiff, it's my birthday today. Please don't make any funny comments for my sake.”

Though she looked displeased, she quickly brightened up and said, “I wonder what momentous occasion has brought you all the way to my house, Mr. Clinton. Please don't tell me that you actually remembered Amelia's birthday.”

Amelia tugged on her sleeves again and changed the topic. “Tiff, didn't you say you got me a birthday cake and presents? Where are they?” Tiffany eyed Amelia and said, “They're in the living room.”

Amelia walked into the living room and saw a two-tier cake on the table. It wasn't a big cake but the design was incredibly intricate. There was a photo of her on the cake along with a message that read: Happy birthday, Amelia! Stay elegant and pretty always!

The cake was decorated with a variety of fruits as well.

“Babe, your birthday will be over in two more hours. Make a wish, quick.”

Amelia nodded.

That year, Amelia had spent her birthday with both Tiffany and

Oscar. This is the simplest birthday party I've ever joined. Oscar stared at Amelia as she made her birthday wish, her features illuminated by the candles. He felt his chest tighten.

As the only son of the Clintons, I've always spent my birthday under the limelight. I've lost count of the number of businessmen who've tried to establish work connections during my birthday galas. Every guest is either a businessman or a celebrity, and the prices of the gifts are astronomical. I've been married to this woman for four years yet I've never once put in the effort to celebrate her birthday with her. If I happened to be in a good mood, I would only get my secretary to get her a branded handbag or some cosmetics. A house maybe, with the title deed under her name. I really don’t remember what else I've done for her.

I've always treated her like a toy. I play with her when I'm happy and throw her aside when I'm not. Every gift I've given her is something my secretary prepared. I called her a gold-digger who's obsessed with branded goods, but I don't even really know what she loves.

Looking at the woman in front of him who seemed so happy at the sight of a small cake, Oscar doubted if he'd ever truly understood Amelia. She claims to love money and branded goods, but is that who she really is?

Oscar felt uncertain.

“Mr. Clinton, it's Amelia's birthday today. I wonder what gift a wealthy man like you has prepared for her.” Tiffany's sarcastic voice brought him out of his reverie.

Before he could reply, she continued, “Let me guess. For someone as rich as you, the gift must surely be a diamond ring or a branded handbag. Jeez, what an utterly unimaginative present for someone with such wealth. I bet you don't even know what Amelia really likes.” Oscar's face clouded over. “What do you mean?”

Tiffany cut a slice of cake and smiled, though the smile didn't reach her eyes. “Mr. Clinton, for someone with two doctorates and exemplary academic results, do you really not understand what I'm saying?” Amelia glanced at Tiffany and said softly, “Tiff, that's too much. I'm going to be angry if you keep doing this.”

Tiffany looked at her briefly before continuing in an exasperated tone, “Babe, can’t you see I'm standing up for you?”

Amelia's eyes were gloomy, though a smile was plastered on her face. “Mr. Clinton and I are merely in a contractual marriage; how can you expect him to treat me like a real husband? Also, who says I don't like branded handbags and clothes? They're such lavish items; other women would kill for them. I'm happy with what I have, so don't go scaring my rich man away or we'll need to have words.”

Tiffany appeared even more exasperated, while Oscar seemed deep in thought.

"Did you not like the diamond ring and necklace I got for you?” Oscar asked.

Amelia choked on the piece of cake she was swallowing and started coughing. Both Oscar and Tiffany were overcome with worry.

Tiffany quickly poured her a glass of water. “Here, take a sip.”

It wasn't until Amelia took the glass of water and took a big sip did she manage to suppress her cough.

Tiffany patted her back gently and chided her, “How could you choke on a piece of cake? You've always been so careless it's worrisome.” Oscar pursed his lips and asked uncomfortably, “Feeling better now?” Amelia waved off his concern. “I'm okay. It just got stuck for a bit.” Oscar replied coldly, “Make sure you eat carefully.”

Amelia nodded her head.

As the birthday party was slightly awkward due to Oscar's presence, it ended prematurely before midnight.

Tiffany sent them to the door. “Babe, I've sent your present to your house. Security signed for it. You just need to get it from them when you're home.”

Amelia hugged Tiffany and laughed. “Tiff, I'm really happy today. I hope you'll be with me for every single one of my birthdays. We shall be best friends forever.”

Tiffany patted her face fondly and replied teasingly, “Don’t be so cringy. I can't stand it. It's late. You should go home now.”

Amelia nodded.

They took the elevator down and walked to the parking lot. Once they were in the car, Oscar asked, “Does Tiffany have some misconception about me?”

“Mr. Clinton, you don’t bother to know my friends but you're worried about her misconceptions toward you?” Amelia glanced at him with a faint smile on her face.

Oscar slowly reversed the car out of the spot. “She's quite pretty but she behaves like a firecracker. I'm not sure how many men can stand her behavior; you're much cuter.”

“Mr. Clinton, is that a compliment I hear?”

“You're my wife. Can't I give you a compliment?”

“Well, do you treat me like your wife?”

This silenced Oscar.

Amelia shrugged.

The atmosphere in the car became cold and silent.

After some time, Amelia spoiled the mood even further. “Mr. Clinton, I'm going to Saspiuburg for training in a couple of days. Since Ms. Yard isn't going back to Erihal anymore, how do you plan to settle our contract? Are we getting a divorce? Or are we not? I think you need to give Ms. Yard an answer; I don't want her to approach me behind your back again.”

Oscar scrunched his brows. “She looked for you?”

“She visited me this afternoon and told me she may be carrying your child,” Amelia replied calmly. What I really wanted to say is that this mistress of yours is overstepping the line! She's clearly the homewrecker in this scenario but she acts like she's the victim, and now I look like I'm the horrid being standing in the way of true love.

Oscar frowned.

These two women have given me more trouble than those exorbitant business contracts!

Oscar avoided the elephant in the room. “Are you really planning to go to Saspiuburg?”

Amelia nodded. “It's a work thing; I'm just following the management's orders. Plus, I really like the work I'm doing now and the benefits are great.”