Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 155

The whole mess with Mr. David exploded across campus—posts and gossip flooded the student forums, dominating the top threads all day.

Mr. David was fired over a “conduct issue,” lost his job, and his wife was filing for divorce. He lost everything—his reputation, his marriage, and his money.

Tina didn’t escape unscathed, either. She was slapped with disciplinary action. Sure, she got to keep her student status, but everyone knew what happened. She was too ashamed to even show her face around campus anymore.

Emily was practically cheering. “Serves those two right,” she said, “People like that deserve payback.” But Amelia only half-agreed. In her experience, plenty of cheaters never got what they deserved; some even seemed to be living their best lives. She only had to look around her to see proof.

Amelia assumed the drama was over. The next day, she had to stop by campus to correct a paperwork issue. On her way out of the administration building, she ran into Tina.

It had only been two days, but Tina looked like she’d lost all her spark. Her usually styled hair was a tangled mess, her manicure was chipped, and her makeup had clearly been thrown on in a hurry.

“Amelia.” Gone was the usual attitude; instead, Tina’s voice was pleading. “I know I messed up. Could you ask Mr. Campbell to help me out? With this disciplinary record, it’ll be impossible for me to get a job after graduation.”

Amelia didn’t feel the slightest bit sorry for her. “Did you ever think about anyone else when you decided to cross every line? Mr. David’s wife is pregnant. Can you imagine what this did to her?”

“If your husband hadn’t released the footage—”

Tina wanted to say that if Daniel hadn’t released the security footage, none of this would have come to light. Mr. David’s wife would have remained blissfully unaware, and the fallout never would have happened. But she bit her tongue. She was here to beg, not to pick a fight.

She lowered her head, voice trembling. “Amelia, my family worked so hard to put me through grad school. I’m begging you. Please, ask your husband to go easy on me. I never told anyone about you two. I really regret what happened. Please…”

She clung to Amelia’s sleeve, playing the sympathy card, hoping Amelia would relent. But Amelia wasn’t someone who caved easily, and she knew exactly what Tina had left unsaid. Tina didn’t feel any real remorse—if anything, she hated them even more, and only showed up now because she had no other choice.

Amelia pulled her hand away, her voice cold and even. “Adults have to own their actions. Some lessons you only learn the hard way. Begging me won’t help. His decision isn’t mine to change.”

With that, she got in her car and drove off, leaving Tina fuming, her face twisted with resentment.

…

Once Amelia sorted out her graduation documents, she was officially free. She glanced at her little desk calendar: fifteen days left.

Spring was in the air—warm sunlight, a gentle breeze, bare branches sprouting fresh buds overnight, new life bursting out everywhere.

Sophia drove, humming along to the radio, in high spirits.

“So, are you going solo or partnering up?” Amelia asked, sunlight making her face glow.

Sophia grinned. “Going it alone is too risky. If I’m going down, I want someone to share the pain. I’m teaming up with Zachary Harper.”

Amelia laughed. “Just business partners, huh?”

Best friends always knew what the other was really thinking. Sophia cleared her throat, putting on a mock-serious tone. “Romance is a waste of time. I’m all about the money right now—absolutely no dating.”

Amelia knew her too well. “Oh, I get it. No romance—just the fun parts…”

She trailed off, eyes flicking to the rearview mirror, brow furrowing. “Is it just me, or has that car behind us been following for a while?”