Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 188

Daniel paced around the bedroom and walk-in closet, a nagging sense of unease prickling at him, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on why.

“Amelia,” he called as he stepped out, “are you missing something? Some of your things seem gone.”

Amelia, thoroughly exasperated—one wave of suspicion after another, never-ending—held her composure as she nibbled on a shortbread cookie. “You think I’m short on stuff? Fine, I’ll go on another shopping spree tomorrow.”

Daniel sat down beside her, fixing her with a look so intense it felt like he was trying to see straight through to her soul. “You’re not planning to sneak anything out and run off, are you?”

Her heart skipped a beat, but her face remained calm. “…With your reach, Mr. Campbell, where could I possibly go?”

“Glad you know it.” Daniel brushed a crumb from the corner of her mouth, his thumb pressing a little too firmly under her chin. “Best not try to run. If I have to drag you back, I’ll break your legs.”

Yeah, if you can even catch me, Amelia thought grimly.

For all his supposed power, even Daniel Campbell was no match for the reach of the law.

Daniel was in an odd mood that night—clingier than ever.

Sensing “danger,” Amelia stuck to wherever the housekeeper went, refusing to be alone for even a minute.

But, eventually, the staff had to retire for the night. She couldn’t very well follow them into their bedrooms. In the end, she inevitably fell into Daniel’s clutches.

His kiss was deep, hungry, almost desperate.

It felt like he was trying to soothe some restless storm inside himself.

Amelia reminded herself she just needed to keep it together for a few more days. She squeezed her eyes shut and let it happen. Whatever. Being bitten by a dog is still just a bite.

…

Second-to-last day.

Amelia woke up the next morning feeling refreshed, clear-headed.

There was a bittersweet heaviness in her chest, but also a lightness—freedom was so close she could almost taste it.

With nothing urgent to do after breakfast, she watered the flowers, tagged along with the housekeeper to the market, and on the way back, spent a good while watching two dogs roughhouse in the neighbor’s yard, reluctant to leave.

The housekeeper laughed. “You’re in a good mood today, ma’am.”

Amelia opened her hand, letting the sunlight pool in her palm, gleaming and lively as if some sprite was dancing there. She smiled. “Winter’s over and spring is here. Of course I’m in a good mood.”

The day passed peacefully, pleasantly.

Amelia walked into the closet and picked out his clothes herself—a deep gray suit with a navy tie, subtle pattern, sharp and elegant.

Daniel lowered his head, letting her knot his tie, eyes locked on her downturned lashes. “Is there something special about this outfit?”

“No, I just thought it’d look good on you.”

But there was something special. This was the same color scheme he’d worn the very first time they met, when he’d given that speech in the university hall.

Not the exact suit, but close enough.

Daniel, never satisfied, demanded a kiss after she finished tying his tie.

She looked into those deep, soulful eyes—the same eyes she’d fallen into all those years ago.

If only he could fall a little deeper, hurt a little more.

She cupped his face, rose up on tiptoe, and pressed a kiss to his eyelids, just as she’d done so many times before, the echo of a thousand unspoken promises.

“Daniel, I hope you remember today for the rest of your life.”