Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 184

She couldn’t breathe. Panic clawed at her chest as she thrashed in the water, kicking desperately at the tangled weeds trapping her ankles. Suddenly, with a burst of strength she didn’t know she had, she kicked free—and there, beneath the weeds, was a baby. The infant’s neck was wrapped tight in the reeds, its face already turning purple...

She jerked awake, heart pounding.

She found herself locked in Daniel’s arms, his embrace so tight she could barely move. One arm was curled under her neck, the other draped protectively across her back, holding her as if he feared she might slip away.

No wonder she’d dreamed of being strangled by weeds!

Damn it!

Amelia swung a fist at him, landing a solid punch that left Daniel blinking in sleepy confusion. He rubbed his eyes, peering at her. “Why does pain in dreams always feel so real?”

“I told you to sleep in the guest room! What are you doing in my bed?” she snapped, bristling like a furious cat.

Daniel, still half-awake, propped himself up on one arm, his brow furrowing. “What’s wrong? Why are you so upset this morning?”

Anger, frustration, sadness—Amelia was a mess of tangled emotions, ready to explode, but she forced herself to stay calm.

“You holding me like that is uncomfortable!” she blurted, turning away from him, her voice cold as she presented him with her back. “Go sleep in the guest room.”

Silence fell behind her. She had no idea how long Daniel just watched her, those deep eyes unreadable. The mattress dipped as he moved—she thought he was finally leaving—but instead, he gently wrapped his arms around her from behind.

“Did you have a nightmare?” he asked softly. “You always get cranky after bad dreams. Don’t dwell on it—nightmares are just the opposite of reality, remember?”

Amelia’s heart twisted painfully. She wanted to tell him: This time, the nightmare isn’t lying. This time, their baby really is gone.

Her throat was so dry it hurt to swallow, but not a single word would come out.

Daniel’s fingers slid into her dark hair, massaging her scalp as he spoke quietly. “I just wanted to hold you tonight. I couldn’t help myself—I missed you.”

Amelia wanted to ask: After holding her, did he go back to hold the other one? Wasn’t he tired? But she didn’t say anything. She had no energy left for conversation.

Daniel let out a soft huff of laughter, equal parts amused and exasperated. “I just wanted to hold you. That’s all. Didn’t expect to get hit for it.”

“If you’d stayed in your own bed, you wouldn’t have gotten hit,” Amelia shot back.

“If I hadn’t come, who would’ve been here for you after your nightmare?” Daniel’s eyes sparkled with smugness. “See? It’s a good thing I was here tonight. Otherwise, you’d have been scared all alone.”

Amelia walked over, tugged the tie loose, and retied it for him without a word.

“There. You can go now.”

Daniel kept his head bowed, a playful note in his voice. “Don’t I get a good morning kiss?”

“No.” Amelia stepped back.

“But I want one.”

“I said no.” She repeated, voice flat.

Daniel, thinking she was still upset over her nightmare, could only laugh helplessly. “Alright, alright. I’m going.”

“Goodbye.”

The door opened, then clicked shut. Amelia looked down at her stomach, her eyes filling with tears. In a whisper meant for no one, she murmured, “Goodbye.”