Chapter 268 Will He Hate Me
“Oscar, why are you acting this way?” Amelia sighed in dejection. “I’m really tired. Indeed, I love you, but I don’t wish to witness scenes of you flirting and having sex with other women anymore. I’m giving my blessing to you and Cassie. In this love triangle, I’m nothing but a loser. I give up. It’s hurtful for me to hear Cassie’s insults, and there’s no need for you to spend time with both of us. That’s too tiring.”
Oscar’s eyes were blazing indignantly. He had no idea how to convince Amelia that he didn’t love Cassie at all. If he still pitied Cassie previously, now, all he had for that woman was utter disgust.
Amelia continued, “Oscar, let’s give each other some time to calm down. We can talk about the divorce when we’re both rational.”
Frustrated, Oscar ran a hand through his hair before grabbing her shoulder. “Why? You love me, don’t you? Why won’t you give me another chance?” he demanded.
Amelia glanced at him as a myriad of emotions bombarded her.
At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to throw herself into his arms and cry her heart out. Though she wasn’t sure her insistence was the right decision, she didn’t want Oscar to see her in a pitiful state.
If she lost her eyesight, the Clintons wouldn’t be cruel enough to kick her out. However, she couldn’t be sure if they’d remain the same after a few years. The Clinton family was affluent and wealthy, and Oscar was the CEO of a corporation. There was no way Olivia would allow her son to stay married to a blind woman. Even if Olivia treated Amelia kindly, she was closer to her own daughter, Stephanie.
It was better to leave rather than be kicked out later. This way, her dignity would be spared, and she would be on good terms with everyone else.
Alas, she didn’t expect to see the ugly side of human nature when she was trying to get Tony’s custody.
Though Olivia used to adore her, she had bared her fangs at her.
Only then did she realize that she was merely an outsider in this family. Olivia could treat Amelia as her own daughter when nothing happened, but when her interest was threatened, she’d become a devil who’d kick Amelia out in a cruel manner.
Amelia could still remember how terrifying her mother-in-law was.
“Oscar, you want to hear the real reason?” Amelia lifted her head and met Oscar’s gaze. She held back her tears and declared, “I can’t forget the scene of you f*cking another woman. It will always remind me of what a scum you are. You claimed to love me, but you could still have sex with someone else. Your love is too cheap. No, I wonder if you’ve ever loved me. Perhaps you’re used to lying to me. You enjoy how much I love you. Occasionally, you’ll give me something to look forward to. You’ve achieved your goal, for I’ve fallen head over heels in love with you before getting my heart broken into a million pieces.”
Oscar’s gaze on her never shifted.
Her heart was wrenching in pain. She never wanted this to happen.
“For the past five years, have I ever lied to you?” Oscar asked in a hoarse voice.
Avoiding his gaze, Amelia answered, “We’re both very emotional, Oscar. I’ll bring Tony over to Tiff’s for a few days. We can discuss the divorce a few days later.”
Taking her hand, Oscar pleaded, “Amelia, please don’t do this to me. It’s my fault, and I can explain. We went through a lot before ending up together. Do you really want to see our marriage come to an end?”
Her eyes teary, Amelia gazed at Oscar without a word. Suddenly, she pushed him away and broke down. As she poured her heart out, she nearly believed that Oscar and Cassie got together willingly and not because she had set them up.
As the lies snowballed, she herself couldn’t help but think that the lies were true. The truth had been buried by the number of lies she had spouted.
“Oscar, I’m serious. Have I ever acted this way for the past five years? You told me you prefer considerate women, so I became the obedient and thoughtful Mrs. Clinton. When you flirted around with other women, I said nothing. You still have feelings for your ex-girlfriend, so I told myself that I’m nothing but a substitute. When you ignored how your sister bullied me, I comforted myself that we’re a family. But have you ever treated us like your family? Your sister is the mastermind behind the accident that harmed both Tony and me. Her punishment? A brief scolding, and that’s it. She’s still the adored daughter of the Clinton family. You have no idea how upset I was at her so-called punishment. I won’t be explaining all the sufferings I went through for the past five years. I thought your love would suffice, but now, I realize you never loved me at all. How should I remain in your family, huh? Tell me!” she hollered angrily.
Oscar was stunned.
As Amelia had always been mild-mannered and patient, he didn’t expect her to react so violently and was completely caught off guard. Her accusations went through his heart like an iron shard.
Guilt overwhelmed his heart. He couldn’t make it up to Amelia after hurting her feelings for five whole years. Hearing that from her own mouth made his guilt intensify. If he knew one day that he’d fall in love with Amelia, he wouldn’t have ignored her for five years.
Amelia was waiting to see the anguish in Oscar’s eyes. She had also regretted lashing out at him.
She wasn’t planning on pinning the blame on him. Back when they got married, she agreed to be a substitute and entered the marriage contract willingly. She had no right to hope for Oscar’s love. Besides, he did treat her well. At least he provided for her financially. The only thing he couldn’t provide was his love.
Love was a luxury that one couldn’t afford to get. Hence, Amelia couldn’t really blame Oscar for his actions.
The contract they signed when they got married had stated everything clearly. The reason she could accuse him now was that Oscar had fallen in love with her.
Now, they were still bound by the contract. Though she requested a divorce, Oscar could refuse to do so if he wanted. She was only taking a chance on Oscar’s love. If she won, it meant that Oscar loved her, and she would be filled with regret after ending their relationship single-handedly. If she lost, it meant that they didn’t love each other that much.
Oscar was about to take her hand when she moved away from him.
Amelia blinked before licking her lips nervously. “I’m sorry for lashing out at you earlier.”
In response, Oscar trapped her against the wall. “Amelia, you can tell me what I did to upset you. I can change. If you need time to think about it, I can leave you alone. But please don’t ask for a divorce. I promise I won’t look at other women from now on. You’re my one and only,” he promised.
Amelia nearly burst into tears at his promise. She couldn’t believe someone a proud and imperious man like Oscar would give her his word solemnly.
She closed her eyes so Oscar couldn’t see the tears swimming in her eyes.
Her sorrow was too much to bear, but fate just wouldn’t let them live happily ever after.
She had pulled herself together when she opened her eyes again. Forcing out a smile, she said, “Oscar, did you forget that our marriage is a contract marriage? You’re the only one who can ask for a divorce. If you insist on staying married, I’ll have to comply, for I can’t afford to give you one hundred million. Am I right?”
Amelia had mentioned it on purpose, as she wanted to see how much Oscar had changed. Yes, she selfishly wanted to see how much did Oscar care for her.
Oscar touched her cheek gently. “Amelia, is this a test? Are you testing me?”
Shaking her head, Amelia answered, “No. I only want you to treat me harshly so I can have a reason to leave you. Yes, that’s how selfish I am. It’s too exhausting to keep our marriage alive. I give up. You can either force me to stay or let me go. I don’t want a cent from you. All I want is Tony’s custody. He means a lot to me.”
Hearing that, Oscar’s eyes turned red.
He felt the urge to ask what he was to her if Tony meant a lot to her.
How could she ask for a divorce that nonchalantly? Even if I made a mistake, can’t she give me a chance to atone for my mistake?
“Amelia, are you seriously going to be this heartless?”
“I’m sorry.”
Oscar lifted his head and forced back his tears. “Is there nothing to make you stay, even though we’ve been married for five years?” he asked in a strained voice.
“Yes, there is. I can’t forget how you fawned over me for the past few months,” Amelia answered. Her gaze softened momentarily, but it soon faded away as a bitter smile flitted across her lips. “That’s the only happy memory I can remember. Nothing else is delightful in our marriage. I fell in love with you hopelessly, and you treated me coldly, for you know you’re a capable man. To be honest, I’m quite useless for falling for your good looks. No woman would be able to resist you. I’m tired of waiting for you to turn and notice me.”
Oscar only looked on quietly as she ranted.
He couldn’t fathom why Amelia insisted on divorcing him. Though he had messed up, he could make it up to her. It wasn’t serious enough to request a divorce.
“I’ll give you a ride home. We’ll talk a few days later when you’ve calmed down.” He released her and changed the topic abruptly.
As he strode out, Amelia followed behind him.
A few steps later, Amelia said, “Oscar, I want to spend a few days at Tiff’s with Tony.”
Oscar balled up his fists at her request. He bit back his frustration and told her, “Stay at home. I’ll spend a few days outside with the pretense of going on a work trip. We shall both get time to cool down before we talk. But I will never agree to a divorce.”
Amelia’s heart felt heavy at his declaration.
“Oscar, even if we remain married, there will always be a prick in my heart. We’ll never return to the past. Why are you so persistent?” she asked.
Oscar halted in his tracks.
“I’ll prove that our relationship will only get closer from now on.” With that, he increased his pace and stalked away. Amelia stared at his retreating figure as tears flowed down her face uncontrollably.
Am I doing the right thing by being persistent? We’re hurting each other deeply.
Amelia was going to end the marriage, which was a wrong move from the very beginning. She had no idea whether Oscar would grow to hate her in the end.
Perhaps he will.
