Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 20

Amelia pressed her foot down on the gas and sped straight toward Midnight Delight Café.

The Midnight Delight Café was a regular spot for Daniel and his friends. Amelia had been there with them enough times that the manager recognized her on sight. Without hesitation, he assumed she was with Daniel’s group and personally led her to their private booth.

Violet must have just arrived—when the manager opened the door, she was taking off her scarf and handing it to Daniel, who accepted it without missing a beat.

Everyone in the booth turned to look at Amelia, surprise flickering across their faces.

Daniel hadn’t expected her to show up unannounced. His brows knit together; he didn’t say anything, but his eyes clearly asked, What are you doing here?

A sharp pain pricked at Amelia’s heart.

Of course. With the real deal right here, the cheap imitation had no reason to show up.

Mogan glanced at Daniel, then smiled at Amelia. “Mrs. Campbell, I didn’t know Daniel invited you too. Sorry about that—I’ll have the staff set another place.”

“No need. I’m not here to eat.”

Amelia walked directly up to Daniel. “I need to talk to you. Do you want to do this here, or step outside?”

Daniel started to get up, but Violet tugged at his sleeve. “Daniel, since Amelia’s here, let’s all eat together. We can talk while we eat.”

We.

Amelia couldn’t help thinking, Thank God for monogamy. Otherwise, Violet would probably have her name right there on the marriage certificate next to mine.

By hiding and avoiding, she was making herself look like the petty one—even though she was the wife.

“Fine. Let’s talk over dinner.” Amelia pulled out a chair and sat down.

Mogan signaled for a waiter to bring another chair. The rest of the group exchanged glances, debating whether to scoot closer for a front-row seat or keep their distance in case things got ugly.

Closer meant they wouldn’t miss a thing, but there was a risk of getting caught in the crossfire.

Farther away meant missing out on juicy details.

“Shut up,” Amelia snapped.

Violet really did look like a porcelain doll—her expression seemed ready to shatter, and tears welled instantly in her eyes.

Deep lines appeared between Daniel’s brows. He leaned forward, blocking Amelia’s line of sight to Violet. “Amelia, the paper was assigned by the university. I don’t know all the details. If the original author has a problem, she can talk to me directly.”

“If you two wanted something, the university would make sure you got it, right?” Amelia’s anger simmered in her chest, but she forced herself to stay calm. “Daniel, I don’t care if you want to spoil your darling, but you can’t just steal someone else’s work. I only have one request—give the paper back to the real author.”

Daniel stared at her, his dark eyes betraying nothing.

After a moment, he reached for his phone.

Amelia pressed her hand over his. “Don’t bother calling the university. And don’t even think about using money or influence to sweep this under the rug.”

She looked into his eyes—the same eyes that had met hers so many nights, full of passion and tenderness. Now, they felt like they belonged to a stranger.

A bitter ache flooded her chest, threatening to drown her. “Daniel, I worked on that paper too. It’s mine as much as anyone’s. So I’ll ask you plainly: Are you giving the paper to Violet, or are you giving it back to me? Choose.”