Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 103

The sudden ring of a cell phone cut through the silence.

Daniel glanced at the screen, irritation written all over his face, but he answered anyway.

Across from him, Charles listened as Daniel spoke to Violet. His expression chilled with every word.

When Daniel finally hung up, he turned back. “What were you just saying she might be?”

Charles swallowed what he’d been about to say. “She’s divorcing you even though she still loves you. Do you have any idea how much resolve that takes?”

Daniel’s mouth twisted in a bitter smile. “If she really loved me, she wouldn’t be so determined to walk away.”

—

Later that evening, Amelia’s phone rang. It was Sophia.

“Amelia, don’t come to the hospital for the next few days. Daniel’s been looking everywhere for you.”

Amelia had expected as much. “He hasn’t given you a hard time, has he?”

“Me? Why would he? I’m not the one divorcing him.” Sophia paused, then added, “But honestly, Amelia, I don’t think he wants this divorce at all. Is it even going to go through?”

“I already spoke to Mr. Harper,” Amelia replied. “Even if Daniel refuses, if the court doesn’t grant us a divorce the first time, as long as I don’t withdraw the suit, we live apart for two years, I gather enough evidence, and file again. It’ll go through eventually.”

Sophia groaned. “He could drag this out for two years?”

“If that’s what it takes, so be it,” Amelia said. “Two years will pass faster than you think.”

She’d made up her mind—she was leaving, for at least three years.

Three years was long enough. More than enough to end a loveless marriage.

Sophia sighed. “All right. If it’s a war of attrition, then so be it. Better than letting a jerk string you along for life. Just keep your head down, okay? Don’t let him catch you.”

“I won’t,” Amelia promised. “There’s no way he can get onto the base.”

As long as she stayed inside, Daniel couldn’t touch her.

She didn’t reply. Thirty minutes later, another ping.

*The beam was too high. She didn’t manage it, now she’s sick in bed and won’t take her meds. Only you can talk sense into her.*

Daniel always exaggerated, so Amelia didn’t buy a word—until he mentioned Grandma Edith was sick. That tugged at her, just a little.

She held her phone for a long moment, then typed:

*Is Grandma Edith all right?*

His reply was instant:

*If you're so worried, come home and see for yourself.*

*I’m outside the base, waiting to take you home.*

Amelia happened to be in the records office—the building closest to the front gate. She walked over to the window, pulled the curtain aside, and spotted a black SUV parked beneath the bare sycamore trees.