Chapter 218 Leaving Home
Because of Stephanie’s foolhardiness, many people had difficulty falling asleep that night. Tiffany and Amelia ended up sleeping in the guest room that the Clintons had prepared for Tiffany. Oscar, on the other hand, stood outside the guest room like a lovesick puppy. When Olivia came out of her room from not being able to sleep, she felt a twinge of sadness at the sight of her son.
“Oscar, why aren’t you sleeping yet?”
“I just felt like being close to her,” Oscar whispered.
Olivia stared at the door to the guest room as mixed emotions began to well up inside her.
She had chosen to cover up for Stephanie out of a mother’s love for their children. However, she had never expected things to take such an ugly turn. Now that her daughter and daughter-in-law were at loggerheads, their family could never find peace again.
If Olivia hadn’t always treated Amelia as her own, she wouldn’t be feeling so conflicted now. What made it worse was that the matter had even caused a rift between Oscar and Amelia. However, Olivia did understand why Amelia had gotten so angry, especially after what had happened to Tony. After all, it was only natural for a mother to protect her child. If someone wanted to kill Olivia’s child, she’d have fought it out with them.
“Oscar, I’m sorry. It’s all because I didn’t think this through well enough that led to Amelia misunderstanding you.”
Oscar merely shook his head sadly, not saying anything else.
“It’s getting late. Why don’t you go back to sleep? Let Amelia think it over tonight, and we can talk again tomorrow.”
Oscar remained frozen in his spot, not wanting to move nor say a word.
At that, Olivia’s heart ached even more.
Olivia knew her son well. Even though Oscar might look cold and distant on the outside, he was a sentimental man. Once he fell in love, he’d love fiercely and unapologetically. That was the case with Cassie in the past. But now, Olivia wouldn’t be surprised if he loved Amelia more than he did with Cassie.
As a mother, all Olivia ever wanted was to see her son and daughter-in-law live happily ever after. Knowing that she was to blame for their rift made her feel all the more upset and awful.
“Oscar, please, don’t be like this. Amelia’s a good girl. She’ll come to understand the reasons for your actions. Go to bed for now. You can explain things to her tomorrow. If you continue being like this, I’m going to be worried sick.”
Since his mother had put it that way, Oscar eventually gave in and returned to his room.
Olivia let out a long sigh before making her way back to her room. “What took you so long?” Owen asked, still awake and waiting in bed.
After climbing into bed to join Owen, Olivia leaned against his chest and said despondently, “Dear, I think Oscar is head over heels in love with Amelia. And it warms my heart to see him happy with her. But now with Stephanie… I’m afraid the rift between Stephanie and Amelia can never be fixed.
“Don’t worry. Amelia’s a considerate girl. I’m sure if we give her some time, she’ll eventually understand.”
After all, that’s all we can do for now.
After tossing and turning in bed for hours, Olivia finally fell asleep at five in the morning. Amelia had also found sleep to be impossible as she stared blankly at the ceiling. She had briefly overheard the conversation between Oscar and Olivia and would’ve leaped into Oscar’s arms if she hadn’t stopped herself in time.
She wanted to ask Oscar why he had so readily forgiven the murderer who had almost killed Tony and herself. As much as her heart wanted to do that, Amelia still chose to follow her head in the end.
It was almost daybreak when Amelia finally drifted off to sleep. When she woke up before eight in the morning, Tiffany’s side of the bed was already empty.
Just as she was getting out of bed, Tiffany walked out of the bathroom.
“Babe, you’re up?”
Amelia patted her head that was beginning to hurt due to the lack of sleep. Ever since the accident, her body’s immunity had been drastically affected. Added to that, she had also just given birth to Tony then. Yet, she had to stay in the hospital to recover and recuperate. Even though the hospital was well-equipped, nothing could beat being able to rest at home. After that ordeal, whenever Amelia didn’t get enough sleep, she’d be tormented with the worst headaches.
With hesitation, Tiffany walked over to Amelia and started massaging her head.
“You look awful. Did you stay up thinking about things again?”
“I couldn’t sleep. Tiff, can you use more force? My head hurts so bad,” Amelia moaned.
“Babe, don’t blame me for scolding you. You haven’t fully recovered, and in case you’ve forgotten, you even broke a few ribs during the accident. It’s a miracle you even survived it. Yet now you’re tormenting yourself over someone like Stephanie? Why would you do that to yourself?”
Still battling her headache, Amelia could only let out a bitter laugh.
Tiffany couldn’t bear to chastise her friend anymore and continued to massage Amelia’s head in a bid to alleviate the pain.
Just then, one of the maids came knocking on the door. “Ms. Amelia, Ms. Winters, are you awake? Mrs. Clinton wants me to let you know that breakfast is ready.”
“All right. We’ll be down in a bit,” Tiffany replied.
After a while, Tiffany put her hands down and asked, “How’s the headache? Is it better?”
Amelia nodded and smiled. “Tiff, thank you so much.”
“Go get yourself cleaned up. We got to prepare ourselves for an upcoming battle,” Tiffany replied with a nonchalant shrug.
After washing up in the bathroom, Amelia put on a simple but elegant white dress.
Tiffany couldn’t help but give her a thumbs up. “Babe, you really can pull off anything you wear. I realize how good white looks on you. It makes you look so pure and elegant. Honestly, I could say you’re innocent yet seductive, and nobody would disagree.”
Embarrassed by the high praise, Amelia just smiled reluctantly.
Tiffany made a face to try to cheer her friend up. “Babe, let’s see that smile on your face. Don’t look so glum. We have to show the Clintons that even without a fancy background, our upbringing is still way better than theirs.”
Amelia didn’t say a word as she made her way down the stairs with Tiffany in tow.
Stephanie was already seated at the dining table and tucking into her breakfast. Despite that, Tiffany and Amelia remained calm and composed.
Tiffany took the lead and beckoned over one of the maids. “Can you please pack a few sets of clothes for Amelia and Anthony? Remember to pack diapers and anything else that Anthony might need too.”
Stumped by the orders, the maid looked hesitantly at Olivia, not daring to act.
Olivia set her spoon down and gently asked, “What’s this about, Tiff? Why are you getting the maid to pack clothes for Amelia and Tony?”
“Oh, Mrs. Clinton, don’t get the wrong idea. I was the one who asked Amelia to stay with me for a few days. After the little episode yesterday, we all know there’s someone who doesn’t particularly like Amelia. If the mother and son continue to stay here, who’s to know if that person might strangle Tony in a fit of anger? So, to be safe, I’d like Amelia and Tony away from here for a few days. That’d be the best for everyone, wouldn’t you agree, Mrs. Clinton?” Tiffany replied while smiling politely.
Olivia’s face instantly fell.
Stephanie, on the other hand, felt called out by Tiffany and stood up angrily. “Who are you talking about, Tiffany?”
“I don’t talk to animals,” Tiffany replied flatly with a shrug. “I don’t want to stoop to their level.”
Stephanie looked ready to blow her top at any moment as her face contorted with anger.
Olivia glanced at Stephanie and said firmly, “Stephanie, you can leave once you’ve finished your breakfast. I’ll get the chauffeur to send you to your office. Also, don’t bother coming back here for the time being. I’ll inform the security guards about it.”
Stephanie got even more infuriated as she pointed at Amelia. “Mom, you’re chasing me away because of that woman?”
Olivia steeled herself before turning to Norton, who had been standing by. “Norton, please see Ms. Stephanie out.”
Norton walked up to Stephanie and bowed politely. “Ms. Stephanie, please.”
“F*ck off! Who do you think you are?”
Despite her tantrum, Norton remained unfazed.
“Ms. Stephanie, please.”
Stephanie glared at Norton as a fresh swell of rage rose in her.
“Stephanie Clinton, when are you going to stop throwing tantrums? If you don’t leave now with Norton, I’m going to get our bodyguards to escort you to the car,” Olivia said adamantly.
Stephanie shot Olivia a furious glance before yelling, “Fine! I’ll leave!”
Before leaving, Stephanie left Amelia with a warning. “Don’t be too smug yet, Amelia. One day I’ll see to it that you get kicked out of this family. You’ll never become the lady of the house!”
With that, Stephanie finally left, looking defeated and miserable.
Olivia sighed and gingerly approached Amelia. “Amelia, I know the pain Stephanie has put you through. As a mother, I had no choice but to help cover up what my daughter had done. Stephanie may not be appreciative of what I’ve done for her, but I’m sure you can understand my actions, yes?”
Being a mother herself, Amelia understood Olivia perfectly well. However, she still couldn’t forgive that easily.
“Mom, I don’t blame you.”
“Then please don’t leave. Tony is still young and can get all fussy, especially at night. At least we have maids here to help take care of him. You haven’t fully recovered, and Tiffany doesn’t have any experience with looking after babies. Tony’s only going to tire the both of you out.”
“Mrs. Clinton, you don’t have to worry about that,” Tiffany interrupted. “I’ve hired someone to help take care of Tony. She came highly recommended, so I’m sure we can trust her.”
“Tiffany, I like you, and I’m glad that you always have Amelia’s back no matter what happens. But just this time, please help me persuade Amelia to stay.”
Upon hearing Olivia’s heartfelt pleas, Tiffany started to flounder.
After all, Tiffany respected Olivia a lot. Olivia was elegant, intellectual, gentle, generous, and considerate. To put it simply, everyone liked her, and every woman wanted to be her.
Sensing the awkward silence, Amelia butted in, “Mom, I do want to stay with Tiff for a few days. Once I’ve sorted out my thoughts, I’ll come back with Tony.”
Seeing how Amelia had already made up her mind, Olivia decided to put her foot down. “I can’t agree with that, Amelia. You’re still recovering, and Tony is only a month old. With you and Tiffany so young and inexperienced, how are you going to take care of Tony? I won’t agree to it.”
“Mom, if you truly treat me as your daughter, then let me go for a few days. I promise to come back once I’ve thought things through. I know you genuinely love me, but to be honest, I can’t face you right now. The more I respect you, the more it hurts knowing how easily you condoned the culprit who tried to kill Tony and me.”
Amelia’s words silenced Olivia. Eventually, Olivia gave in and agreed to let Amelia stay at Tiffany’s for a few days.
As the maids hurried off to pack for Amelia and Tony, Olivia still couldn’t stop worrying. “Amelia, I know you’re in a bad mood, and I agree with you taking some time to yourself. But please don’t stay outside too long. Otherwise, you’re going to break my heart.”
Amelia simply nodded in response.
