Stephanie paced back and forth in exasperation as she warned through her gritted teeth, “You’ll all regret when that woman really cheats.”
Ignoring her, Oscar continued to head outside. Then, he received a call from Cassie. Initially, he did not want to answer it, but she kept calling, so he had no choice but to accept the call.
“Oscar, I’ve just received some photos. Can you come over?”
The look in Oscar’s eyes changed into one filled with murderous intent.
“Wait for me. I’m coming over.” After that, Oscar hung up the phone and drove to Cassie’s place.
Cassie did not stay with the Clintons. Instead, she bought a big and cozy three-bedroom apartment in a neighborhood not far away from Oscar’s in the city center.
Taking the elevator, Oscar went to her unit and rang the doorbell. She soon opened the door and enthusiastically wrapped her arms around his neck. She tried to kiss him on the lips, but the latter dodged her, much to her surprise.
“What’s wrong, Oz?”
“Let’s talk inside.” Oscar went inside the apartment with her and shut the door behind him.
Cassie pinned him against the wall and looked at him with dreamy eyes, saying, “Oz, it’s been a few days since you last came. Our baby and I miss you a lot.”
After kissing her lips perfunctorily, Oscar patiently assured, “I’ll talk to the baby later. You told me over the phone that you received some photos. Where are they?”
Cassie gave him an aggrieved look.
“Oz, you wouldn’t have come over if I hadn’t mentioned the photos, would you? I gave up my bright future in another country for you, but your attitude toward me has grown cold. Don’t you love me anymore?” asked Cassie persistently, feeling wronged.
Oscar was slowly losing his patience as he had never thought that Cassie’s constant chatter would be so annoying.
Holding her in his arms, he tried to keep his cool while coaxing her, “You know that I only love you, Cassie. Don’t be ridiculous, and be a good girl, okay?”
Leaning into him, Cassie bit her lips with a glint in her eye and explained in an aggrieved tone, “I just love you too much, Oscar. My parents keep asking when I’ll marry you, and put a lot of pressure on me. I also feel very uneasy as you don’t give me an answer as well even though I’m already pregnant.”
“Don’t overthink it. You should know how I feel about you,” assured Oscar gently, his heart softening.
“I trust you, Oz.”
“That’s my girl!”
Pulling away, Cassie said, “Come with me, Oz. Let me show you some photos delivered to me this morning. There’s no sender’s name, so I don’t know whom they’re from.”
Oscar sat on the sofa with her.
Cassie then took out a yellow manila envelope from the room and sat next to him, saying, “Oz, you’ll probably get mad when you see the photos inside, but you must believe that I’ll always be by your side and will never do something that will hurt you.”
Seeing the manila envelope in her hand, Oscar was vexed.
“Take a look, Oz.” Cassie handed him the envelope.
Opening the envelope, Oscar emptied it and saw the photos, which, as expected, were of Amelia and Carter.
Although he had a gloomy expression, he did not blow his top as Cassie had imagined.
“Aren’t you mad, Oz?” asked Cassie while giving him a puzzled look.
“Do you want me to?” Oscar asked instead.
Cassie gently took his arm and explained, “You’re my man, so of course, I hope that you’ll only feel every emotion for me. However, Ms. Winters is going overboard. She’s your legal wife no matter what, so shouldn’t she have some decency? If these photos are exposed, you’ll be ridiculed by people in high society. I’m just indignant about what will happen to you.”
Pulling her into his arms, Oscar changed the subject, “I’m happy as long as I have you. What this woman does has nothing to do with me. We’re going to divorce soon, so she can’t threaten your status.”
Cassie smirked, feeling pleased.
“Oz, are you really not mad that she cheated on you? I feel sorry for you as you treat her so well, but she still hooks up with another man. Do you want me to help you teach her a lesson?”
“Don’t mind her. She’s nothing but an insignificant woman. You should just take good care of yourself and the baby. After divorcing her, I’ll hold a grand wedding with you and make you the prettiest bride in the world.”
Smiling sweetly, Cassie leaned into his arms. “I’m relieved to hear you say so, Oz. I was afraid that you’d really fall in love with Amelia and was going to dump me.”
“Cassie, did you hire someone to take these photos?” Oscar asked in a seemingly nonchalant tone while holding her.
“Are you suspecting me, Oz?” Cassie looked up at him with a slightly hurtful expression.
Patting her on the head, Oscar replied in a gentle voice, “Silly girl, you’re the last person I’ll suspect. I’m just asking. It’s good if you’re not the one behind it. But if you are, it’s fine too. No matter what you do, you’re the most adorable to me.”
Cassie flashed him a sweet smile. “Oz, it really wasn’t me. I thought of getting someone to take photos of Ms. Winters too, but it remained a thought as I didn’t want to be misunderstood by you. Those photos were really delivered to me by a courier. I don’t who the sender is, nor what purpose they have.”
After a brief pause, she added, “Oz, other than showing you the photos, I ask you to come over because I want you to find out the person who took the photos and their purpose in doing so. I think you should look into whether they’re targeting Ms. Winters or the Clintons.”
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Too Much to Bear, My Love