Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 112

“Half an hour left, Daniel. Don’t make me hate you.” Amelia stood by the doorway, her voice tight.

Daniel, as unhurried as ever, continued tidying up. “Watch some TV. If you’re bored, grab a game—there are some single-player ones.”

“Restricting someone’s freedom is against the law, you know that?” Amelia shot back.

Daniel shut the dishwasher, turned on the faucet, and washed his hands. “What law am I breaking? Spending time alone with my wife? Even if you called the police, they’d be embarrassed to show up.”

Amelia glared at him, seething for a moment, then stormed off.

Daniel emerged a minute later with a bowl of strawberries and placed them on the coffee table. “Blush-pink strawberries, flown in yesterday. Try one.”

Amelia didn’t even glance at him. After a while, still fuming, she finally turned his way. “I should’ve finished you off last night.”

Daniel grinned, lazy and cocky. “Here’s your chance. Go ahead, I promise I won’t fight back.”

His shamelessness was infuriating. Amelia ground her teeth, tempted to dump the bowl of strawberries over his head. But then she thought better of it—no point giving him the satisfaction.

She kept silent, staring off into space, refusing to give him any more attention. Their calico cat scampered over, stubby legs working overtime. Daniel gave its backside a little pat, all smug amusement. “Go on, you little moocher. Earn your keep—cheer her up.”

The cat leapt onto the couch, wriggling into Amelia’s lap and rolling over, paws in the air, begging for a belly rub.

Amelia was powerless against the little rascal.

She petted the cat, played with it a while, then glanced at the clock. It was after eight.

Anxiety gnawed at her. Even if she skipped changing or getting ready, the absolute latest she could leave was nine.

Maybe it was the early morning, or maybe defeat left her so drained. Staring at the blank ceiling, her eyelids drooped, and she drifted off.

When she woke, it was past eleven. Daniel sat at her bedside.

He looked like he’d been there a while, gazing at her with dark, unreadable eyes. When she stirred, he reached out and pinched her cheek. “Sleeping beauty’s finally awake.”

Amelia sat up, brushing his hand away. Her first words were cold: “Give me back my phone. I’m leaving.”

Daniel’s smile froze before it fully formed. “What’s the rush? I’m not going to eat you if you stay a bit longer.”

“You’re right, you won’t.” Amelia slid out of bed, slipped on her slippers, and turned her back to him, every movement icy. “But another moment around you makes me sick.”