Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 187

“Hello? Amelia… Hello?”

Amelia hung up without hesitation.

Daniel frowned at the abrupt end of the call, shifting his gaze from the phone to her face. “A man? Who was that?”

“What’s it to you?”

Her heart was pounding, but she kept her expression calm and tried to walk past him. He caught her wrist before she could slip away.

“I’m your husband. Of course it’s my business.”

She turned to meet his eyes head-on. “You don’t have female friends?”

His grip loosened for a moment, and she took the chance to pull free and walk out of the closet.

“Which female friend do I not know about?” Daniel followed her. “And what did you mean by ‘the last few days’? That sounded like—”

“Would you just quit it?” She always masked her nerves with annoyance, and as she flung her hand in exasperation, her fingertips brushed his cheek—almost a slap, but not quite.

Daniel froze for a split second, then immediately put on the air of a wounded martyr. “Did you just hit me?”

Amelia was exasperated. It was barely a touch. How was that hitting?

“I did not— Why are you following me around anyway?”

His usually deep-set eyes now shimmered with exaggerated hurt, his tone dripping with melodrama. “Of course it’s my fault. If I’d known I’d get slapped for coming home, I wouldn’t have gone out of my way to buy your favorite apple turnovers.”

Apple turnovers.

Amelia did love those, especially from that bakery downtown, the one with the line out the door every day. They made them year-round, but in spring when apples were at their best, they were especially delicious.

Lured by the promise of food, Amelia headed for the living room, immediately spotting the paper bag on the coffee table.

“Tell me who that man on the phone was before you eat.” A long hand pressed down on hers as she reached for the bag.

She looked up and caught his gaze. The message was clear: I bought the turnovers. If you want one, play along.

Amelia withdrew her hand. “Forget it. I’m not hungry.”

Her emotions swung wildly—fear, anger, pain—before finally settling into resignation. She tossed aside the washcloth, unable to care anymore.

“Fine. I am pregnant. Go ahead, kill me.”

He knew she was just lashing out, but his face darkened anyway. He reached out and thumped her forehead, not gently. “Relax, I’ll only kill the bastard, not you. If you ever betray me, I’ll just keep you by my side forever and make your life hell.”

Amelia laughed, sharp and bitter.

How ridiculous—if she betrayed him, she’d be punished for life. But when he betrayed her? Oh, that was just fine.

Hypocrite. Absolute hypocrite.

“What’s so funny?” Daniel watched her, detecting the sarcasm in her laughter.

She didn’t even have the energy to argue anymore. After rinsing her mouth, she left the bathroom.

Daniel was right about one thing—no point punishing herself by refusing food. She swept the piece he’d touched into the trash and sat down to enjoy the rest herself.