Amelia tried to change the subject. “Mr. Clinton, if you aren’t hungry, I’ll just pack all this food up.”
“What’s wrong with you?” Oscar asked, gripping her hand.
With a sigh, Amelia placed her silverware down. “Do you wish there was something wrong with me?”
“Don’t lie to me. No one will dare bully you while I’m here.”
“The only one who bullies me around here is you, Mr. Clinton.”
Oscar fell silent.
“I’m fine, really.” Amelia sighed again. “I got a call from a friend earlier who told me one of his relatives had passed away. I had spoken to that same relative only a few days ago, and now he’s gone.”
Oscar looked at her sharply. “How did he contact you if your phone’s at home?”
Amelia froze, her mouth agape. In her hurry to come up with an excuse, she had completely forgotten about her phone. And Oscar saw through her immediately.
The corners of Oscar’s mouth turned up slightly as he playfully pinched her cheek. “That’s it. No more lies in the future. Always remember to think before you speak.”
Amelia bit her lip and said nothing.
Seeing her so subdued, Oscar felt a little sorry for her. “You’re not filthy. My words yesterday were unnecessarily harsh. Mom said you shouldn’t get riled up while pregnant. It wouldn’t be good for the baby.”
A look of disappointment flashed across Amelia’s face. After a while, she finally asked, “Mr. Clinton, are you forgiving me only because your mom made you do so?”
It was Oscar’s turn to avoid the subject as he gestured at the food in front of them. “Didn’t you say you were hungry? Eat up before the food gets cold.”
Amelia beamed a brilliant smile at Oscar. “Regardless of your reason, I’m very grateful and glad that you’ve forgiven me. So thank you, Mr. Clinton. I shall continue to put in my best efforts in our very complicated marriage.”
“Let’s eat.”
Amelia started to dig into the food. She stopped mid-way to scoop a spoonful of it and brought it to Oscar’s lips. “How about this, Mr. Clinton? If you eat this, we’ll agree to let bygones be bygones. We won’t bring up the photos again either.”
Oscar glanced at her before accepting the food.
Happy moments like these were rare for them. After the meal, Oscar called his mother to tell her not to come over that night. He reassured her that he would take good care of Amelia.
Olivia was more than happy at the sound of that. But as all mothers do, she re-emphasized the need for Amelia to be well taken care of before she hung up.
“Did the doctor say when you can be discharged?” Oscar asked while peeling an orange for Amelia.
“Tomorrow, I guess.”
The two of them were chatting like good friends. It was a moment where they could set aside talks of love and affairs. This was another rare moment that Amelia deeply cherished.
It had been almost five years since they got married, but this was the first time she felt like she had truly gotten closer to Oscar.
Oscar nodded.
After a brief hesitation, Amelia asked, “Mr. Clinton, earlier Ms. Yard called looking for you. You should probably call her back.”
“Did Cassie say something to you?” Oscar replied. He finally understood why Amelia had been feeling low. She had been mulling over her call with Cassie.
“She didn’t say much. She only wanted me to pass on the message that she had gone for her checkup with your secretary and that the baby is healthy.” Amelia put on a forced smile. “She also mentioned that the two of you will be getting married soon. Congratulations, Mr. Clinton. As for the wedding, I’m afraid I won’t be attending it. After all, it’d be highly inappropriate for the ex-wife to be there, wouldn’t it?”
Oscar looked Amelia in her eyes. “Pay no heed to Cassie’s words. Even if we do get the divorce, I will still take good care of you and our child. No women or children of mine will need to worry about anything in life.”
As she lay in bed, Amelia couldn’t help but reach out for Oscar’s hand. “Mr. Clinton, no matter what happens to us, I just want to let you know how grateful I am for you,” Amelia said earnestly. “You lent a helping hand when I needed it the most. Even though I married you for money, at the end of the day, you’re still my savior.”
Oscar held her gaze as he listened on.
Resting in bed with no makeup on, Amelia looked incredibly frail and pitiful. Oscar felt especially moved after having heard her words and realized he was feeling increasingly sympathetic towards her.
He held his hand up and caressed Amelia’s face tenderly. “Are you tired?”
“Mr. Clinton, can you stay with me? Our child and I both need you,” Amelia pleaded as she nuzzled into his hand.
Oscar moved his hand over her eyes. “Go to bed. I’ll stay with you and send you home tomorrow.”
Amelia smiled contentedly and patted the bed. “Why don’t you join me in bed, Mr. Clinton?”
Oscar was about to comply when his phone rang. Talk about bad timing.
His expression changed when he looked at his phone, but he quickly recovered. “Let me answer this call. I’ll be right back.”
It wasn’t difficult for Amelia to guess who had made that call, and the thought of it upset her. A call from Cassie and Oscar would no longer be able to stay overnight with her.
Every time it felt like her relationship with Oscar was making progress, Cassie would undoubtedly butt in to remind her she was nothing more than just a substitute.
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