Too Much to Bear, My Love novel Chapter 817

Summary for Chapter 817: Too Much to Bear, My Love

Chapter 817 – A Turning Point in Too Much to Bear, My Love by XO

In this chapter of Too Much to Bear, My Love, XO introduces major changes to the story. Chapter 817 shifts the narrative tone, revealing secrets, advancing character arcs, and increasing stakes within the Romantic genre.

Chapter 817 Taking A Stance

Tiffany gazed at him with barely concealed grief in her eyes. “Have you brought the divorce agreement?” she asked. “I can sign it now.” Derrick clenched his fists to suppress his tumultuous despair. “Let’s talk about it, Tiff.”

Tiffany shook her head. Her face was pale and bloodless. “There’s nothing to talk about,” she said somewhat dispiritedly. “I saw you and Crystal yesterday with my own eyes. That’s when I knew we were completely over. I don’t want to guess the nature of your relationship with her. There is no longer a chance between us.”

The hangover made her body feel weak. In addition to Derrick’s betrayal, everything seemed bleak and bland. Tiffany felt sluggish and wanted nothing but to find a quiet spot to sit.

Derrick was the person she was most unwilling to see at the moment. He took a step forward, but Tiffany raised a hand to stop him. “Don’t come any closer. I hope we can split up amicably. Even if we get a divorce, I don’t want to hate you.”

Derrick was beside himself with frustration. He was like a caged beast desperate to rid itself of its predicament. A single mistake pretty much destroyed my marriage.

“I’m begging you, Tiff,” Derrick said quietly, his eyes tinged red. “Let’s talk about it. We’ve been together for years. Are you really just going to break things off with me?”

Tiffany laughed bitterly. “Why didn’t you think about all our years together when you touched her?”

Derrick was rendered speechless. He could not tell her he had no idea how he and Crystal got involved. The last thing he remembered was drinking Kate’s glass of milk. He knew a woman had entered after that, which he thought was Tiffany. He also assumed that was who she was when he pushed her against the wall. He vaguely remembered the feeling of being with her, but he only realized that the woman with him was not his wife when he was roused by having water splashed onto his face. Then, he saw Tiffany standing by and felt his world spin.

Tiffany’s angry demand for a divorce diverted Derrick’s mental resources to grasp the strangeness of the ordeal, but he could not resist a shudder upon further consideration of the matter; he did not dare believe his mother would set him up.

Tiffany passed him to go downstairs, but he grabbed her wrist.

“If I told you that I had been set up, would you believe me, Tiff?” he asked quietly.

Tiffany turned to face him. “Does that matter now?” She had already found him guilty in her heart, and she would not believe him no matter how he explained himself.

A bitter smile appeared on Derrick’s lips.

“You really won’t believe me, huh?”

Tiffany said nothing and retracted her arm as an answer.

She then went down the stairs and gave Amelia a small smile. “I’m sorry for causing a scene again, Babe. I’d promised you that I would be happy once I got married, but it didn’t take long for my marriage to end in shambles. What do I do? Do you think I’m born to be a loser?”

Amelia felt sorry for her best friend. “Don’t smile if you don’t want to,” she said softly. “You look horrible.”

Tiffany’s eyes grew red despite herself. “Send the person upstairs off for me, Babe,” she choked. “I’ll look for something to eat in the kitchen. I’m starving.”

Amelia nodded.

Tiffany entered the kitchen while Derrick remained rooted to the spot like a pole.

Amelia sighed. These two are destined to suffer.

She went up the stairs and called, “Go on home first, Derrick. I’ll bring Tiff over when she’s feeling better, and you can sign the divorce agreement on good terms then. You wouldn’t be happy if you forced yourselves to remain together. I’m sure this is what Tiff wanted.”

Derrick stared at her in a daze. “Are you not going to help me with this, Amelia?” he said wearily.

She shook her head. “I’m not planning to. You have committed an unforgivable mistake. Maybe other women would let it slide, but Tiff is willful. She does not tolerate infidelity.”

The sparkle in Derrick’s eyes went out. “I won’t give up,” he said bitterly. “I will beg for her forgiveness.” At that, he turned and walked out with his back straight, though Amelia could see how pained he was.

She shook her head and felt a weight in her heart.

Tiffany is going through what happened to me three years ago. I wonder if she would be able to handle it. Nothing can change her mind if she decides to go through with a divorce.

Amelia returned to the kitchen to see Tiffany standing blankly before the pot without a crumb before her.

“You can’t be full from inhaling air, Tiff,” Amelia chided as she opened the lid and took out the breakfast Molly had prepared earlier that day.

Tiffany gave a start and turned to Amelia as she forced a smile. “Has he left?”

“He’s gone,” Amelia assured. “Are you planning to divorce him?”

“What else can I do? I saw with my own eyes how he got involved with another woman in our marital bed. I’, heartbroken, and I suddenly feel so tired that I no longer wish to struggle.” Tiffany took a bun from the plate and ate slowly. Her gaze was blank.

Amelia dragged her friend out by the hand, forced her onto the couch, and half-knelt before the latter.

“Are you not going to give him a chance to explain himself?” she asked gently.

Tiffany shook her head. Her smile looked more like a grimace.

Having exited the kitchen without taking anything, she sat listlessly on the couch instead.

Amelia followed her out, at a loss on how to comfort her friend.

“If you’ve made up your mind, Tiff, I’ll go with you to the Hisson residence,” Amelia offered.

Tiffany clutched her head with both hands. “Thank you, Babe,” she said in a muffled voice. “But I would like to stay for a few days before returning to adjust to the situation. Otherwise, I fear I may go crazy.”

“Of course.”

Throughout the five days of Tiffany’s stay, Derrick came with her favorite food every day.

“Stop coming over, Derrick,” Amelia said exasperatedly each time she opened the door. “Tiff does not want to see you. Go home.”

“I just want to talk to her,” Derrick insisted.

Amelia stood squarely at the door, not intending to grant Derrick entry.

Just then, Oscar emerged and hugged Amelia from behind. “Go home, and stop coming over. I’ve hired the best lawyer for Tiff, who will meet you to talk about the divorce. He will also be discussing the division of property with you, so there is no need for you to show up here anymore.”

Derrick felt a fist closing painfully around his heart.

“You’re a man too, Oscar. You must understand how I feel. I have made a mistake, but not to the extent beyond redemption. I don’t want my fate sealed without even giving her an explanation. Let me see her. I want to talk to her properly about it.” Derrick gazed earnestly at Oscar.

Tiffany’s request for divorce had been tormenting him for the past few days. Dark circles appeared beneath his eyes, and his beard grew straggled. His cheeks became sunken in and gave one the impression of extreme despair.

His wretched appearance seemed to move Oscar. In the end, he half-dragged Amelia to stand aside.

She glanced up inquiringly at him, but he merely shook his head at her.

Derrick entered, promptly went up the stairs, and lightly opened the door to the guest room to find Tiffany sitting quietly by the window. The silhouette of her back looked especially morose.

He walked over as his heart twinged.

“Tiff,” he called out softly.

Tiffany jumped and hurriedly raised her hands to wipe her eyes.

Surprised, Derrick strode over to grab Tiffany’s shoulders and discovered tear stains on her face.

“Have you been crying?” His heart ached, and he tried to wipe her tears, but she avoided his gesture by taking three steps backward.

“What are you doing here?” she asked stiffly.

Derrick felt his heart lurch. “Don’t be like this, Tiff. Please?” he pleaded.

Tiffany pursed her lips. “How would you like me to behave, then? I don’t want to argue with you, Derrick. I’ve had Oscar hire the best divorce attorney in the city for me, who will discuss the divorce with you on my behalf. As for the division of property, you don’t have to give me a dime.”

The anguish in Derrick’s eyes was about to spill forth.

“Is this really how it ends, Tiff?” he croaked.

Tiffany averted his gaze. She feared her resolve would falter if she saw how dejected he looked.

“You have tarnished our marriage, Derrick,” Tiffany murmured. “I’m just putting an end to it.”

“Don’t go, Tiff. Please?” Derrick begged.

Tiffany did not turn around.

Instead, it was Amelia who turned to look at him. “Many people are watching, Derrick. Don’t make things difficult for Tiff, all right?”

Derrick stared at Tiffany’s back instead of responding.

Oscar then stepped forward and pried Derrick’s hand open, to which Derrick increased his grip to contend with his. A hint of plea appeared in his eyes.

Oscar leaned in to whisper in Derrick’s ear, “Be a man. Don’t embarrass yourself in front of people for a woman.”

Derrick let go of Tiffany’s hand at last.

Amelia brought Tiffany to sit on another couch. Thanks to Oscar’s presence, she did not feel nervous as she face the vast Hisson clan.

Terrence addressed Tiffany, “I heard how Derrick has let you down, Tiff, and I have taught him a lesson on your behalf. Men would commit grave mistakes during their process to maturity, but as long as his heart remains true to you, I think this is a forgivable matter.”

Amelia gave Tiffany’s hand a squeeze as she faced Terrence and gave a polite smile. “You may think of your grandson’s mistake as something every man will make in his life, Mr. Hisson, but Tiffany has been brought up in a normal family. She is stubborn by nature and insists on her husband’s fidelity. Although it may seem foolish to you, I will support her in whatever decision she makes. Naturally, Oscar is on my side.”

Terrence’s expression changed greatly at that.

“Are you going to cast me aside because of Derrick’s mistake, Tiff?” Terrence implored after taking a deep breath and facing Tiffany.

Tiffany took a deep breath as well before meeting Terrence’s inquiring gaze. “You have been good to me ever since I married into the Hisson family, Granddad,” she said calmly. “However, Derrick and I are not fated for each other. I only came here today to discuss the divorce with him. Do take care of yourself in the future.”

Terrence’s expression shifted again.

“I have already arranged for Crystal to be escorted out of the Hisson residence and have met with the Halliwells to explain Derrick’s mistake. I guarantee he will not have anything to do with Crystal again. So please, do this for me. Forgive him this one time, will you?” Terrence pleaded, appearing to have set his pride aside.

Tiffany lowered her gaze. Nobody could tell what she was thinking at the moment.

Terrence observed her. “Are you not going to consider it, Tiff?”

Her eyes flickered with a myriad of emotions as she struggled with herself. Although she claimed to hate Derrick and was determined to get a divorce, she missed him. She was deeper in love with him than she realized.

Finally, she spoke. “I’m sorry, Granddad. Let me think about it a little longer. My mind is a mess right now.”

Terrence was visibly relieved while delighted surprise lit Derrick’s eyes. Kate’s face, however, flushed momentarily with fury.

Terrence gave an easy laugh. “Good girl. I know you love Derrick, and I guarantee he will not make the same mistake again. You are the only granddaughter-in-law I approve of, and I will break his legs if he ever wrongs you again.”

Everybody present was aware that Terrence behaved that way for Oscar’s sake.

Only fools would dare offend Clinton Corporation.

Tiffany pursed her lips. “I’ll be heading home then, Granddad. Let me calm down over the next few days, and I’ll give you an answer.”

“All right.”

Amelia helped Tiffany up and turned to leave.

Terrence called out to Oscar, “Derrick has been foolish to make the mistake all men make, Oscar. Teach him a lesson for me at your leisure. Consider it making up to Tiff.”

Oscar turned around and smiled. “I will gladly oblige to your request, Mr. Hisson, but now’s not the time.” With that, he and Amelia marched their way out, looking very much like Tiffany’s guardian angels.

Derrick got to his feet and scrambled after them.

“Get back here, Derrick!” Kate yelled in a panic.

Derrick ignored his mother while Terrence glared at her. “Set whatever scheme you have aside, Kate. You will not remain in the Hisson residence if Derrick and Tiffany get a divorce.”

Kate’s expression hardened, but she did not dare cause any trouble before Terrence.