Chapter 286 What If He Finds Out That You Are Blind
Tiffany’s voice softened. “Babe, calm down. If the Clintons refuse to hand over Tony’s custody, we have the right to take legal action. They might be influential, but we’re not weaklings. I know some people who could be of help. Don’t worry.”
Amelia glanced around, the confusion in her gaze evident. “Tiff, I don’t want to go to court. I owe the Clintons a favor. If Oscar hadn’t helped me, I would still be in jail now. Olivia was nice to me, so I don’t want to be ungrateful.”
“Then, are you going to leave Tony with them?”
Amelia fell silent.
“Babe, I’ll be brutally honest with you. You should’ve expected this when you thought of getting a divorce.” After careful deliberation, she added, “Tony is the Clintons’ first grandson. If you want his custody, the only way is to take legal action. But you’ve been a housewife for the past few years and had little experience at work, so I’m afraid the judge will compare your financial status with Oscar’s and give Tony to him. I think you should be prepared.”
Amelia’s hand holding her phone trembled as the color drained from her face.
“Babe, that was the worst that could happen.” Tiffany’s voice grew soft. “Oscar has agreed to give up on Tony’s custody, so you don’t have to worry. He is a man of his word. Besides, he loves you. With his support, you’ll have a big chance of winning Tony’s custody,” she said.
Amelia laughed bitterly, for she had no idea if Olivia and Owen would stay out of this. If they were against it, she wasn’t sure that Oscar’s love for her would win over his parents.
“Should I keep you company?” Tiffany inquired on the other end of the line.
Regaining her composure, Amelia answered gently, “No need. The Clinton family is in a mess right now. Your presence might make things worse. Stephanie might also attack you verbally for no reason.”
“Has she made things difficult for you?”
Amelia didn’t answer.
“That woman is seriously shameless. After everything she did to harm you, instead of feeling guilty, she never repented and even repeated her mistakes!” Tiffany exclaimed angrily.
“Don’t be mad. I’ll just think of it as being bitten by a mad dog.”
“Didn’t Mr. and Mrs. Clinton do anything to stop her?”
Amelia let out a self-deprecating laugh. “I will not be their daughter-in-law soon. Now that I’ve infuriated them, I should be glad they didn’t kick me out. Why would they punish their daughter for my sake? But I have to admit that this is my fault. I understand why they are upset. I have disappointed them by kicking up a fuss and demanding a divorce.”
“Babe, don’t say that. Just get a divorce. You and Oscar aren’t fated to be together,” Tiffany consoled her.
Amelia chuckled sadly and changed the topic. “All right, Tiff. I need to go and see Tony.”
“Sure. Take good care of yourself. Call me if you need anything.”
“Okay.” After a pause, Amelia said, “Tiff, after the divorce is finalized, I’ll leave the city at once no matter who wins Tony’s custody. There are too many memories for me to continue staying here.”
Tiffany went silent at her words.
“Tiff, you don’t have to leave with me. Your dream and your benefactor are all here in this city. I’ll give you a call after I settle down in another city,” Amelia told her.
“Amelia Winters, what am I to you?” Tiffany demanded. “We have come to a consensus, right? I told Mr. Hisson about your condition, and he has agreed to let me live in another city as long as I report my whereabouts to him. I’m a freelance author, so I can write anywhere as long as I allow my publisher to publish my books.”
“Let’s leave it there, Tiff. You don’t have to sacrifice for me.”
“What a fool you are. I’m a freelance author, so I have more freedom compared to the normal white-collared workers. I just have to finish writing on time and sent my manuscript to Shannon so she can proofread it. They will publish it and bank the money to my account. If I need to attend a book signing, I can fly back here for it. It’s very simple. I don’t have to sacrifice anything,” Tiffany explained.
She didn’t think it was a sacrifice, for she could write anywhere as a freelance novelist.
“But I might need to fly to Saspiuburg a few days later to sign the rights purchase agreement for my novel. I think I’ll be there for around four days. Is it alright for you to stay in the Clinton residence alone?” Tiffany asked in concern.
Amelia chuckled lowly. “I’m fine.”
They chatted for a while before hanging up.
Amelia was walking along the path when Stephanie appeared before her.
Seeing how fast Stephanie was dashing ahead, she stepped aside to avoid a confrontation.
However, Stephanie came to a stop before her and blocked her path. Amelia cast an icy glare and declared, “Get out of my way!”
Stephanie’s lips curled into a mocking smirk. Suddenly, she reached out and shoved Amelia to the ground forcefully.
Amelia fell to the ground helplessly. A spike of pain flared up her hip, and her elbow was stinging, too. She propped herself up and was about to get to her feet when her vision went black all of a sudden.
Stunned, she panicked and sat on the ground.
Towering above her, Stephanie mocked, “Get up, Amelia. Are you putting on a pity act? Oscar isn’t here. I’m not a man who will pity your plight!”
Amelia remained in her spot and ignored Stephanie’s mocking.
Her face contorting in anger, Stephanie raised her leg and gave Amelia’s ankle a kick. Amelia immediately held her ankle in pain as a hint of panic flashed across her eyes.
Stephanie was scrutinizing Amelia, who didn’t seem to be getting to her feet anytime. When she saw the panic in Amelia’s eyes, something occurred to her. She smirked and bent down to wave her hands before Amelia’s eyes. As expected, Amelia didn’t react to her action.
Snorting out loud, Stephanie scorned, “Amelia Winters, it turns out that you’re blind.”
Amelia stiffened at once.
Stephanie grew increasingly excited. “Amelia, what does it feel like to be blind?” she queried.
Her face pale, Amelia took two steps back instinctively to avoid hearing Stephanie’s insults.
Her actions only served to confirm Stephanie’s guess. Bursting into a fit of laughter, Stephanie pointed at her and taunted, “Oh, how the tables have turned. You’re blind! How dare you try to win Anthony’s custody from Oscar? Look, you’re a blind bat. There’s no way you’ll be a good match for Oscar. Do you even deserve to be Anthony’s mother? How dare you, loser!”
Amelia felt her head buzzing as the word “blind” kept repeating itself in her mind.
She clambered to her feet with the intention of fleeing the scene but ran into a tree in front of her. As she retreated anxiously, she tripped on her feet and fell on her back.
Stephanie watched as she made a fool of herself in satisfaction. She marched over to Amelia and stepped on her hand. “Ow!” Amelia yelled in pain.
Bending down, Stephanie patted Amelia’s cheek and said, “Amelia, how the tables have turned. I’m pleased to see that you’re blind. You’re not worthy of being Oscar’s wife. Tell me. If Oscar finds out about your pitiful state, will he still love you?”
In a panic, Amelia flailed her arms around until she caught Stephanie’s arm and pleaded, “Stephanie, please. Don’t tell Oscar about this.”
“Why? Are you afraid? You don’t want Oscar to find out that you’re blind? Right. even if he loves you, you’re nothing but a piece of trash now. Do you think his love for you will last forever? Men usually fall out of love easily. Don’t forget that you’re a blind person who needs help to do something simple like getting a shower. I can’t wait for you to go blind permanently so I can see Oscar’s love turn to disgust. That will be interesting.”
She was provoking Amelia deliberately. “Amelia, think about it. You can’t walk, shower, brush your teeth, or put on clothes without someone else’s help. As you need to be taken care of, you’ll become Oscar’s burden. Do you still think he’ll be in love with you? I think he won’t say he loathes you out loud, for you’ve been married for years. No wonder you insisted on a divorce. It’s because you want him to remember you in your prime. That’s a great plan, Amelia. You’re smart enough to leave when you’re healthy and get a huge sum of money. After all, you’ll become useless when you lose your eyesight permanently.”
Amelia went as pale as a sheet.
“Shut up! Shut the f*ck up!” she hollered and got to her feet hastily. Retreating backward fearfully, she yelled, “Is anyone here? Is anyone here?”
“Yell all you want, Amelia. Let everyone find out that you’re now blind. It’ll be great if Oscar finds out, too. Anyway, I don’t mind if you stay married to him. I can’t wait to see how he despises you,” Stephanie sneered.
Amelia halted in her tracks.
She turned in Stephanie’s direction as her lips trembled profusely.
“Why are you doing this to me, Stephanie?”
Stephanie’s face turned distorted as she replied, “I hate you, that’s why. You don’t deserve Oscar.”
Amelia took a deep breath to calm herself down.
“You’re romantically attracted to your brother, right?” she asked calmly.
Though Amelia had seen through her, Stephanie showed no signs of remorse and admitted to it. “Yes. So what? Oscar’s an excellent man. I’ve admired him since I was young. It’s normal for me to fall in love with him. If he wasn’t my brother, I would’ve pursued him! Alas, we’re siblings, and I can’t be his wife. Even if I can’t stay by his side, you can’t occupy that position. You are not good enough for him!”
At that, Amelia’s lips curled into a smile.
Besides finding Stephanie’s feelings for Oscar strange, she never understood why Stephanie treated her like a rival. Now, everything made sense, for Stephanie had perceived her as one.
“Don’t you find yourself disgusting, Stephanie? You’re romantically attracted to your brother,” Amelia scorned.
“What’s wrong with that? I admire him, that’s all. Even if he had disciplined me, he’s still an outstanding man. I’ve never thought of behaving inappropriately. You don’t deserve him. Once you leave, I’ll find a better woman who is a perfect match for him. Scram, you blind woman!” Stephanie declared as she folded her arms arrogantly.
An array of emotions flashed across Amelia’s face.
“Amelia, I can’t wait to see how Oscar will react upon finding out that you’re now blind. I believe he’ll be heartbroken. How long will that last, though? One month? One year? Two years? Or forever? I think less than a year, especially when it’s someone as useless as you. I’m excited at the thought of him getting fed up with you.” She beamed.
Ashlyn’s hands clenched into fists.
“No, don’t tell Oscar,” she pleaded. If Oscar finds out, my efforts would’ve been for naught.
“Why would I listen to you?”
“Please, Stephanie,” Amelia implored.
“What do you have to offer,” Stephanie demanded.
“As long as you agree to keep my condition a secret from Oscar, I’ll leave the city after getting a divorce. I’ll never enter the Clinton residence ever again,” Amelia promised solemnly.
“Why should I trust you?” Stephanie refused to relent.
Flashing a bitter smile, Amelia said, “Do you think I have the guts to appear before your brother when I’m blind?”
Stephanie was rather pleased with her words. “That’s quite tempting. But I have another condition.”
“What is it?”
“Give up on Tony’s custody.”
Amelia remained silent in response to her request.
Stephanie gazed at her calmly. “I’ll give you one minute to think about it. If you disagree, I’ll inform Oscar at once. I believe he’ll be pleased to see you in this condition. That will be entertaining.”
