Chapter 409 I Am Not Blaming You
Meanwhile, in the living room of the Clinton residence. Stephanie held Olivia’s arm and asked, “Mom, why did that woman return?”
Olivia took a glance at her and said, “Your brother is deeply in love with her. After he found her, he even brought her to Anglandur for a short vacation. From now on, stay out of his business, okay? Just focus on your relationship with Noah and get married soon.”
Stephanie got annoyed when she heard that. “Don’t worry about me, Mom. Things are great between Noah and me. In fact, he’s deeply in love with me. So much so that he can’t wait to marry me,” she said pridefully. “But Mom, Oscar has been disobeying you ever since Amelia got back. How could you just let him be?”
Olivia calmly tapped on Stephanie’s shoulder. “Stephanie, just focus on your relationship with Noah, okay? Stop interfering with others’ relationships. I’ll handle Amelia myself. Since she was the one who gave up on us in the first place, I’ll never accept her as one of the Clintons.”
“How about Tony? Are you going to deny him as well, Mom?”
Seemingly irritated by Stephanie’s words, Olivia gave her a hard stare. “Watch your words, Stephanie. Tony is not only your nephew but he’s also the next in line to inherit everything our family owns. So don’t you dare say that we’re going to abandon Tony again.”
Stephanie pursed her lips and acted innocent. “I didn’t mean it like that, Mom. I’m hoping that you could take Tony away from that crude woman. Did you see how he raised his voice at me just now? He’s still such a young boy! The only explanation for his behavior is that the woman hasn’t taught him manners at all.”
A mix of emotions flickered across Olivia’s face.
“Don’t interfere in your brother’s relationship anymore, Stephanie. You’re getting married soon. Is that how you’re going to speak to Noah’s parents? It’s about time you learn to treat elders with respect and please them,” Owen scolded.
Stephanie pursed her lips in annoyance. “Dad, after I’ve gotten married, I’d still be your daughter! As a Clinton, since when am I ever needed to please others? Aren’t they supposed to please me?”
Olivia and Owen both furrowed their brows upon hearing that.
Olivia tapped on Stephanie’s hand and advised, “You’re wrong, Stephanie. Although we’re rich, you shouldn’t treat your in-laws with disrespect! You have your ways with Noah now because you’re not married yet. Once you’re married, you’re part of their family. You cannot talk with such a tone with your future mother-in-law. Albeit not as rich as our family, the Walker family is still one of the prominent families around. If you act so spoiled with your in-laws, they might think that we haven’t taught you well as parents.”
After a momentary pause, she continued, “When your grandmother was still around, I treated her with the utmost respect. I’d even given her foot massages regularly. Besides, I had never once had an argument with her ever since I married into the family. Instead, I loved and cared for her as if she was my biological mother. That’s just how it works with in-laws. After some time, she’d also accepted me as one of her family members. To be frank, Amelia did that extremely well. She knew how to get on my good side. If only she hadn’t brought Tony away two years ago, I’d still willingly accept her as my daughter-in-law. But too bad, her actions had hurt me.”
“Mom, did you really have to bring her up again?”
“Well, I just wanted to show you an example of how you should treat your in-laws in the future. Although she was wrong to take Tony away, she was actually an exemplary daughter-in-law.”
“If she’s so good, then why would you still want to split Oscar and her apart? If you like her so much, why don’t you just let them remarry? Then, you’d have your exemplary daughter-in-law back,” Stephanie fumed.
“I did hope they could remarry. But the pain she has caused me when she took Tony away is too great. The worse thing is that your brother is still on her side. Now, I have no love for her anymore. It seems like she’s just not meant to be with us.” Olivia let out a long sigh.
Again, Stephanie pursed her lips and said, “And I thought you’ve changed your mind, Mom! It seems like you hate her as much as I do. Although I’m rebellious, I would never disregard my elders. I could never imagine me doing what she did—taking Tony away without saying a word. Based on that, I think she’s a lot more rebellious than I am.”
Olivia cast her glance without saying a word.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere was tense with Oscar and Amelia in the car.
Amelia held Tony and cast her glance at the scenery outside of the moving car.
Oscar was driving when he looked at Amelia and his son through the rearview mirror. After a moment of silence, he blurted, “I’m sorry for what happened back there.”
Amelia regained her composure and smiled. “I’m all right. It’s just that I didn’t expect you to lead such an exciting life in the past two years. However, since I was the one who gave up on our marriage, I don’t think I have any right to complain.”
All right? Well, you’re not acting like you’re all right. Oscar felt his heart ache when he looked at her through the mirror. He knew that the episode with Isabella would definitely create more ill feelings between him and her.
“Amelia, it’s not what you think. There’s really nothing going on between Isabella and me,” Oscar explained.
With Tony in her arms, Amelia adjusted her sitting position and said, “I’m not blaming you, Oscar. I’m just jealous. In fact, I do believe you when you said there’s nothing going on between the both of you. It’s just that I’m angry at myself for letting you go back then. The thought of her being with you for the past two years hurts me.”
At that moment, Oscar wanted to stop the car immediately and hug her. But he changed his mind when he saw the busy traffic on the road. Besides, Tony was staring at him when he looked at them through the mirror. What a third wheel!
Amelia then continued, “I have no right to hold anything against you as well. In fact, I should feel ashamed. Although Kurt is just a friend, words have gotten around saying otherwise.”
“Amelia, don’t be so harsh on yourself. To be honest, I’m jealous of the fact that Kurt has been with you for the past two years. But I’ve always known that you guys are just friends. You’ve always been a virtuous person. So if you had something going on with Kurt, you wouldn’t even be back here with me anymore.” Oscar sounded extremely certain.
Amelia burst out laughing in response.
Suddenly, Tony blurted at an inopportune timing, “Big Meanie, how dare you bully Mommy and me?”
Both Amelia and Oscar were rendered speechless.
Oscar’s cheeks went bright red upon hearing that.
Amelia could barely stifle her laughter. “Hey Tony, you shouldn’t say that to Daddy.”
Not wanting to see Oscar anymore, Tony pursed his lips and leaned into Amelia’s chest.
