Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 191

The answer was exactly as she expected—there was no love, no affection between them.

No, that wasn’t quite right. In fact, it was better than she’d imagined. After all, she’d known for a long time that their marriage was just his way of shielding Violet.

Amelia supposed she should thank him for never exposing the truth, for at least letting her keep a shred of dignity.

“To us,” she said, raising her glass. “To sharing the same thoughts.”

The dinner was pleasant, almost romantic, and for once, Amelia found herself reminiscing with him about the past.

Only in looking back did she realize just how many sweet moments they’d actually shared.

Well, now she’d revisited those memories, it felt like the perfect way to end things.

After dinner, Amelia picked out an artsy romance movie.

Daniel emerged from the kitchen, stopped behind the couch, tilted her chin up and leaned in to kiss her. “Why watch a movie when you could be watching me?”

“The night’s still young,” Amelia replied with a playful kiss, offering just enough sweetness to keep him interested. “Indulge me—let’s watch the film first.”

The movie was long and slow, the kind of film Daniel never understood the appeal of. Luckily, Amelia was far more interesting. He spent the next two hours twirling her hair around his fingers, playing with her hands, sometimes gently turning her face toward him. With her beside him, even a dragging movie wasn’t so dull.

But the ending was anything but happy. The couple on screen, doomed by family circumstances, never made it. In a final blow, the male lead died in an avalanche, leaving the heroine alone forever.

Amelia sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Daniel grumbled inwardly. It was his birthday, and she’d picked such a tragic film—now she was crying as if she’d lost her husband.

Still, he couldn’t bear to see her cry. He pulled her onto his lap, gently kissing away each tear.

But before long, those kisses wandered to her lips. Amelia tasted the salt of his mouth and, snapping out of her movie-induced melancholy, gave him a little push.

“We haven’t had the cake yet.”

Daniel’s breath was hot against her ear as he kissed her reddened earlobe. “Forget the cake. I want you.”

“Nope.” Amelia smiled, her voice light but firm. “We’re doing this my way. Otherwise, you can kiss your surprise goodbye.”

Daniel paused, exhaling slowly as he pulled back. “Are you playing me?”

Amelia’s eyes crinkled with amusement. “Because I wanted to eat pears.”

If his little wildcat wanted pears, what could he say? Daniel just sliced a piece and placed it on a plate for her.

Just then, an unknown number interrupted the birthday song looping from her phone.

Amelia answered, putting it on speaker.

Mogan’s voice came through, cold and anxious. “Is Daniel with you? Why isn’t he answering his phone?”

No matter how much Mogan disliked Daniel, he’d never spoken to him like that—their business relationship made him keep things civil. For Mogan to snap like this, something serious must have happened.

Daniel’s eyes narrowed, but he stayed silent.

Amelia glanced at him, reading his expression before replying, “He’s not here. What’s wrong?”

Mogan didn’t explain, just hung up without another word.