Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 122

It wasn’t that Sophia was a coward—she just had a healthy sense of self-preservation.

After she’d punched Daniel last time, she’d spent weeks on edge, half-expecting him to retaliate at any moment.

Daniel was no paper tiger. Before, Sophia had relied on Amelia to shield her from the worst of his temper. But now that Amelia and Daniel were embroiled in a messy divorce, Amelia was barely keeping her own head above water, let alone protecting anyone else.

Not that Amelia seemed to realize she was in trouble. Her expression was openly impatient, brows knit together. “Who told you to come to Elm City?”

“It’s only been a few hours since I last checked my phone. When did Elm City become the Turner family estate? Is this your private kingdom now? Am I trespassing?”

Daniel strode over to the bike, giving Amelia a once-over from head to toe. He seemed to exhale in relief before his tone turned accusatory. “Well, look at you, Amelia. Wandering around Elm City all by yourself. Feeling bold, are we?”

Sophia poked her head in. “Hey, what am I—chopped liver?”

Daniel didn’t even acknowledge Sophia. His gaze stayed locked on Amelia. “Try wandering off again and I’ll break your legs.”

Who even talks like that? Sure, Daniel fit the stereotype of an overbearing CEO, but Amelia was done humoring him. She gestured to Sophia, signaling her to return the bike before they got charged an extra twenty bucks for overtime.

Daniel trailed behind her, stubborn as a shadow. Once the bike was returned, he grabbed her hand. “You’ve had enough fun in Elm City. Let’s go back to Silkwood.”

They’d barely been in town twenty-four hours. Sophia shot him a look. “Excuse me? Amelia hasn’t even scratched the surface of Elm City yet!”

Amelia pulled her hand free. “I’m spending New Year’s here.”

Daniel’s scowl could have twisted steel. “So you’d rather spend the holidays with her than your own husband? Remind me, who are you married to?”

Amelia gave him a pointed reminder. “I’ll be filing the divorce papers after the holidays.”

“As long as we’re still married, I’m your husband,” Daniel shot back, ever so considerate as he offered two options. “So, do I have to carry you back to Silkwood, or just tie you up and haul you there?”

Was there really any difference?

Amelia rolled her eyes and grabbed Sophia’s hand. “Let’s go.”

……

Daniel didn’t follow them. Once they were out of earshot, Sophia summed it up. “What a joke—he shows up in Elm City acting like he’s here for some grand romantic gesture, but you get rid of him with a few words. Pathetic.”

He set down four or five luxury gift boxes, already settling into his new role. “Thanks, big sis. I’ll have warm water, please.”

Warm water, huh? If only she could scald him.

Sophia brought him a mug of water that was practically boiling.

While Mr. and Mrs. Taylor busied themselves in the kitchen, Amelia shot Daniel a sidelong glance. “Don’t you have a company to run? Shouldn’t you be busy this close to New Year’s?”

Busy was an understatement—Daniel’s head was spinning. He’d just squeezed in a video meeting in the car.

“If you want to stay in Elm City, then I’ll stay with you.”

Sophia’s senses went on high alert. “What’s that supposed to mean? Amelia’s spending New Year’s at my house—are you planning to camp out here too?”

Daniel grinned. “Thank you for the invitation, big sis.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me—” Sophia’s retort died in her throat as Mr. Taylor came out for a bottle opener. She swallowed her words and hissed, not-so-quietly, to Amelia, “Has he always been this shameless?”