“You are a good girl and have been filial to Olivia and me. However, your family background is not satisfactory. Thus, I cannot accept you as my daughter-in-law wholeheartedly. If you know what is good for you, then take these and sign the divorce papers after you give birth. That would be the best arrangement possible for both Oscar and yourself. Cassie is definitely a more suitable candidate to marry Oscar. I know Olivia has her reservations about Cassie, but I’m sure she will grow to like her,” Owen told Amelia.
His words pierced Amelia’s heart. She thought the love and concern she showed the Clintons in the past five years would have at least earned her their acceptance, if not affection. She was wrong. Owen Clinton was a cold-hearted patriarch.
Amelia put on a smile to mask her emotional turmoil. “I get your point, Dad. However, this marriage is between Oscar and me. The decision to divorce lies with Oscar, not you, Dad. If he initiates the divorce, I will oblige. I am afraid it will not be appropriate for me to accept your offer. Oscar would be upset if I took anything valuable from you,” reasoned Amelia.
Owen glanced at her and said, “Amelia, you are a smart lady. I think you should know which option will be more advantageous to you.”
Amelia nodded, and with all sincerity, promised, “Dad, I know. I assure you, I will sign the papers and let go without a fuss if Oscar wants a divorce. I only have one request.”
“Shoot,” Owen commanded.
“I will not ask for any financial support or alimony upon divorce. I have only one wish.”
Owen was surprised. He scrutinized Amelia and finally said, “Tell me.”
“Dad, if Oscar and I divorced, I want the custody of my child. That is the only thing I ask for.”
“No.” Owen rejected the demand instantly.
“Dad, after our divorce, Oscar will marry Cassie, and she will bless you with a grandchild next year. On the other hand, all I have is only this child. It is not too much to ask for, is it?” Amelia appealed.
“No way! All Clintons stay within the family.” Owen again dismissed the idea outright.
“But Dad, don’t you think a newborn needs his mother by his side?” Amelia patiently persuaded.
“Is that emotional blackmail?”
“No, Dad. I am just stating the facts. It is tragic for such a young baby to part with his mother, don’t you agree?”
Owen fell into deep thoughts.
“I know you don’t like me, Dad. For the well-being of this Clinton baby, could you please give me his custody?” Amelia tried to appeal to his emotions.
Owen reflected on her arguments and relented. “You discuss this matter with Oscar. If he agrees, I will not object.”
“Thank you, Dad, for being so understanding.” Amelia thanked him with a deep bow.
“Now, let’s join the rest. Olivia will start wondering if she could not find us.” With that, Owen ended their discussion.
Amelia nodded, and together, they made their way out of the study. Oscar was already in the hall when they appeared.
Amelia went up to Oscar and asked, “Done with your work?”
Oscar responded with a nod and guided her to sit next to him. “Everything ok?” he whispered.
Amelia only shook her head but did not elaborate.
Olivia eyeballed Owen and asked in a hushed tone, “You did not make things difficult for Amelia, did you?”
“You dote on her. Why would I make things difficult for someone you adore?” Owen humored Olivia.
Olivia let out a relieved giggle.
Amelia and Oscar stayed on with the Clintons and left after lunch.
Once Amelia got into the car, she slumped into the passenger seat. Oscar took a look at her and asked with concern, “Tired?”
Amelia shook her head.
“Then why this indifference? Am I that unappealing?” Oscar asked in jest as he drove.
Amelia opened her eyes and quietly watched the cars go by. “Mr. Clinton, do you know why Dad called me into the study?” She finally spoke.
“What did you talk about?” Oscar turned towards her for an answer.
“He wanted me to agree to the divorce. He said I am not good enough for you,” Amelia told him truthfully. “Sometimes I really wonder — am I so inferior? So bad that everyone is rooting for me to leave.”
Oscar scowled. “Don’t let that bother you. I have told you before that only I can declare the game over for our marriage. Other people’s words don’t matter.”
“Mr. Clinton, you always said you will not divorce me for now. But actually, deep in your heart, you can’t wait to do that, right? After all, the love of your life is waiting for you. Compared to your sweetheart, I am nothing,” Amelia muttered wistfully.
Oscar tightened his grip on the steering wheel. He heard the despondence in her voice and felt for her. “Why the gloomy outlook? That is so not you, Amelia Winters.”
Amelia turned around and looked fixedly at Oscar. “Do you know the real me?”
Oscar could not honestly look her in the eye and profess he knew her well.
“In your heart, I am but a materialistic woman who will trade in her body and soul for money, right? You would not be bothered to relate to a shallow woman like me.” Amelia went on self-deprecating.
Oscar found her self-condemnation jarring. “Stop belittling yourself,” he commanded.
Amelia laughed out loud. “Mr. Clinton, those words were from you! I was only parroting what you said!”
Oscar got frustrated and hit the steering wheel. “What is wrong with you? What is with this provocative attitude?”
“Nothing is wrong. Just venting. Everyone pressured me to get a divorce, yet no one cared enough to ask me for my opinion. I will shut up if that got on your nerves.” Amelia was beaten.
Oscar found a safe spot and stopped his car. He leaned over to Amelia and inquired, “Upset?”
Amelia felt his breath in her ear, his warmth engulfing her whole body. She instinctively shunned him. She cannot let her mind wander. She needs to be rational.
Upset? Of course! Unfortunately, all these are nothing compared to the sadness and disappointment I felt. Friendship and family ties had always been my top priorities. Since I decided to marry Oscar, I considered the Clintons family. I’ve tried my best to fit into the clan and had grown to love them. Despite Stephanie’s hostility, I gave my best effort, hoping my sincerity will win them over. Oh, how wrong I had been…
Other than Olivia, who truly adored her, everyone else kept her out of their heart.
I always pretended like I did not mind Oscar’s affairs with other women. Even when Cassie showed up, pregnant with Oscar’s baby, I feigned I was ok with it. What else must I do? What else can I do? Oscar’s heart has never been with me.
Amelia leaned backward to avoid Oscar’s passionate and inquisitive gaze. “To you, I was never family, right?” she lamented gloomily.
“You are my wife,” Oscar pronounced as he leaned closer to her.
Wife? He calls me his wife, but his actions speak louder. At the most, I can be considered a plaything. I’m just something that he could cuddle up to when he felt like it and sweep aside when he’s not in the mood.
Amelia badly wanted to take his word for it, but his attitude over the past few years clearly told her otherwise.
Amelia was in turmoil. She knew Oscar would not bother to lie, but his conduct made it difficult for her to believe he really considered her as his wife.
It was ironic that, on the one hand, Amelia wished he could humor her, but on the other hand, she would rather he tell the truth than be hurt by his lies.
“I did not expect you, Mr. Clinton, to humor me.”
Oscar looked her straight in the eye and challenged, “We have been married for so many years. Can you not tell if I am speaking the truth?”
Amelia’s heart skipped a beat, and her mind went wild.
What is he trying to say? He really considered me his wife? Can I believe him? But…
The next moment, she slumped back into dejection. So what if he saw her as his wife? What difference would that make? The fact remained that he could terminate their relationship anytime.
“Alright, I believe you,” Amelia mouthed, but deep in her heart, she could not see a future between them.
“Your expression tells me otherwise.” Oscar watched her closely, not showing any intention of backing off.
“Can you really read my mind?” Amelia averted her eyes to avoid his intense gaze.
“You are my woman. Do you think I can’t tell what’s on your mind?”
“I am but one of your women.”
Oscar riveted his eyes on her and demanded, “Turn around and look me in the eye.”
Amelia hesitated. Finally, she slowly turned around, and their eyes met.
Oscar was enthralled by her beautiful but sorrowful eyes. He can see the love and confusion in them.
“Yes, Mr. Clinton?”
Oscar snapped out of his daze and faked a cough to hide his self-consciousness.
He lightly tapped her on her head and declared, “So long as we have not finalized our divorce, you are my woman. So stop messing your own mind.”
Oscar was amused by Amelia’s look of astonishment. “Is it so difficult for you to believe that I truly see you as my wife?” he laughed.
“But you are the one who kept highlighting I am just a plaything to you!” Amelia defended.
Oscar playfully flicked her nose and teased, “You are my plaything cum wife.”
“Why?” Amelia was confused. Oscar Clinton, why do you string me along, blowing hot and cold? Why do you give me false hope that we may have a future together?
“Huh? What’s that why suppose to mean?” Oscar asked.
Amelia shook her head and confessed, “I am surprised you look on me as your wife… Would you be able to promise you will be mine and mine only forever?”
“Amelia, don’t you think that is an unreasonable request?”
Amelia felt a sense of loss. Oscar could not bear to see her feeling despondent. He gave her a good-natured pat on the head and tried to cheer her up. “Amelia Winters, you are a fighter! Ditch those gloomy thoughts!”
“Even a strong fighter will fall someday.” Amelia pushed his hand away, crestfallen.
That, tugged at Oscar’s heartstrings.
