Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 173

Amelia ignored him, setting the bouquet of gladiolus on the nightstand. With the gentle concern of an older sister, she asked softly, “How’s your leg been lately? Any better?”

Violet didn’t let her irritation show for long; after all, with Daniel there, she had to keep up appearances. She managed a smile. “It’s alright. I’ll be able to have surgery soon.”

“Will you be able to walk again after the surgery?”

“It depends. If the rehab goes well, I should be able to.”

“That’s wonderful. Being able to walk again would be amazing.”

Daniel stood nearby, listening to their calm conversation. He glanced out the window; the sun was setting in the west, just as it should. Nothing was out of place.

Amelia really had just come to visit. Once she’d dropped off the flowers and chatted a bit, she prepared to leave.

Everything was so polite, it hardly felt real.

Daniel walked out of the hospital room with her. Amelia said, “No need to walk me out. Go back and keep her company.”

Her voice was gentle, but Daniel felt a sudden chill run down his spine. He caught her hand. “Are you upset?”

She laughed. “No. Why would you think I’m upset just because I was nice to Violet?”

“You were a little too nice.”

Amelia almost admired herself for it—she really did have a knack for acting. Tilting her head up to look at him, she said, “I’ve thought it through. I won’t argue with Violet anymore.”

Daniel raised an eyebrow.

“Actually, I knew about Violet when we first met. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking these past few days, trying to figure out why it never bothered me before, but now it does.”

Her words came slowly, honestly. “I realized it just hurts me, and puts you in a difficult spot. Violet’s been your friend since you were kids. There’s always going to be something between you. I shouldn’t keep pushing. I should trust you.”

“Daniel, you asked for my trust. I’m giving it to you. Please, don’t let me down.”

Just as she finished, the elevator arrived with a soft chime. The doors slid open.

Amelia stepped inside. The doors were nearly closed when a hand shot out, stopping them. The panels slid back, and Daniel strode in. Without a word, he pulled her into his arms, holding her tight—so tight it was as if he wanted to fuse her into himself.

So this is what he wants?

A gentle, understanding woman—someone gracious enough to smile at the other woman, to love him and tolerate his divided affections, to let him have his stable home and his fluttering excitement on the side. No guilt, no burden, just the freedom to drift between both women’s love.

How despicable.

Amelia shut her eyes, holding back a surge of emotion.

It’s alright. Just a little longer.

Only nine days left.

If this is what he wants, then she’ll play the part. She’ll worm her way in, deeper and deeper. And when she’s gone, maybe then he’ll finally feel the pain she’s carried.

Those who gaze into the abyss—sometimes, in the end, it’s love that turns them into the abyss itself.

Amelia wanted to cry, but there were no tears left.