Chapter 148 A Solemn Promise
“I’ll leave it to the two of you then. I’m old now, and I can’t meddle in the affairs of young people anymore,” Elizabeth said, somewhat grudgingly. “Oz, if you no longer feel the same for Cassie as you did at the beginning, then you shouldn’t have led her on. Cassie could have gone on to much better things at Erihal. Perhaps she could even have become a world-class pianist after two or three years. The Yard family doesn’t lack money, but it’s always good for women to have a profession of their own.”
Oscar stared steadfastly ahead without speaking.
Elizabeth sighed.
“Oz, I’m truthfully quite disappointed with you. I’d always believed that you were a man of your word. However, you’ve gone back and forth between two women, taking pleasure in both of them even as they suffer from your indecisiveness. As a woman, I despise men like you. Of course, I strongly objected to Cassie becoming a third party in your marriage. It’s too bad that she’s my only daughter. As much as I disapprove of her, she’s all I have, and I’ve got to support her. I can’t stand by idly and let you hurt her.”
Elizabeth finished off her surprisingly moving speech by gazing up at Oscar defiantly.
Oscar looked away. After pausing for a moment, he met Elizabeth’s eyes. “Mrs. Yard, I didn’t think things through since the beginning, so I’m truly sorry for that. I’ll definitely deal with Cassie tactfully and deal with her as gently as I can. Even though we may no longer be a couple, I’d still like to affirm that as long as she needs help, she only has to tell me. I’ll immediately drop everything to help her to the best that I can. This is my promise to her. You can be sure that I’ll keep my word.”
Elizabeth’s resentment towards Oscar had greatly lessened by this point, and her face was no longer as tense as it was.
“Oz, this is the promise you have made, so you can’t go back on your word for the rest of your life. All I have is Cassie. Even if you don’t end up together with her, I hope that you’ll help Cassie retain Yard Group and fend off prying hands. Cassie’s excellent at playing the piano, but she doesn’t have much experience in business dealings. I don’t know if Cassie will be able to manage things,” Elizabeth replied.
Oscar nodded. “Mrs. Yard, I promise that whatever happens between us, I’ll never let Yard Group fall into the hands of an outsider. This is my solemn promise to you. As long as Cassie asks for help, I’ll come to her aid.”
Elizabeth was pleased.
“Oz, it’s late. Go in and sleep then,” Elizabeth said in a milder tone. “Initially, I thought you should head back, but you’ve seen for yourself how unwilling Cassie is to let you go. She’s still weak and prone to emotional agitation. Please take good care of her.”
Oscar hesitated, then nodded slowly.
“You head back first then, Mrs. Yard. Leave Cassie to me,” Oscar said. “Mr. Yard’s busy with the business these days, and it’ll be taxing on him to care for Cassie as well. Go back and assure him that I’ll be here.”
“We’ll have to trouble you, then. If anything happens to Cassie, be sure to call me. We could have hired a dedicated nurse for her, but she insisted on having you here. I’m helpless in many matters regarding Cassie. Please bear with her, and I’ll leave her to you,” Elizabeth instructed before picking up her bag and making her exit.
Oscar stood outside Cassie’s hospital room. The entire corridor seemed deserted. That block consisted of premium wards, and the decor and facilities available were the best.
Oscar fished out his phone from his pocket and dialed Amelia. She answered almost instantly.
“Have you gone home?” Oscar asked.
Amelia’s voice over the phone was hushed. “I’m at still the hospital. Carter’s still in the operating room. How’s Ms. Yard?”
“She has just fallen asleep,” Carter replied.
“Are you in her room?” Amelia asked tentatively.
“No, I’m sitting on a chair along the corridor,” Carter answered evenly.
“It’s late. You should go back early and rest. I’ll be heading back with Tiff in a while,” Amelia said.
“OK.”
Over the phone, the husband and his wife spoke tenderly. The conversation bloomed with an intimacy that had never happened before in their interactions over the years. An air of bashful romance floated over each of them. Neither Oscar nor Amelia was willing to be the first to hang up. They had just parted, but this exchange was one of their rosiest moments as a couple.
It might have gone on forever if Tiffany hadn’t snatched the phone over from Amelia. “Mr. Clinton, quickly go back and watch over Cassie. I’m borrowing Amelia for now. I’ll return Amelia to you when you’ve finally found the time for her.”
Having said that, Tiffany vehemently ended the call.
On their end, Tiffany glanced at Amelia kindly after she hung up, saying, “Babe, you look ridiculous. If you smile any wider, your teeth are all going to fall out.”
Amelia clapped both her hands to her cheeks, feeling her ears burn with embarrassment.
Tiffany sighed at her friend’s hapless state. This silly girl is digging deeper and deeper into her own grave every day! Tiffany was pleased to see Amelia’s joy but remained wary of the worst possible outcome that might befall Amelia—a divorce. Tiffany dared not imagine the depths of depression that Amelia might sink into if Oscar really divorced her.
She looks radiant and strong, but she’s just a scared little girl on the inside.
“Babe, do you know what you look like now?” Tiffany asked, nudging Amelia.
Amelia, however, looked at Tiffany with incomprehension. “What do I look like?”
“You look like a little fool who’s fallen head over heels in love. You’ve been married to that husband of yours for five years. The first rush of romance should have been long over! Isn’t it a little too late to feel bashful now? You’re not young lovers meeting in secret, you’re husband and wife. You’re going to have a child soon!” Tiffany joked.
Amelia lowered her hands, she was still immersed in the sweet feeling after the conversation she had with Oscar earlier.
“Tiff, don’t laugh at me,” Amelia said in earnest.
Tiffany rearranged her face to look serious. “Babe, calm down. I don’t want to be a wet blanket either, but I simply can’t bear to see you get hurt. Unless Oscar has given you a surety of sorts, you should maintain a clear mind and forbid yourself from getting too close, and don’t commit yourself so fully to him! If the worst happens, at least you won’t have such a hard time picking up the pieces.”
Amelia’s smile dimmed somewhat.
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