Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 201

Daniel Campbell shot upright in bed, not even bothering to put on his slippers before storming to the door. He yanked it open with a bang.

“Say that again? Who exactly are you finding a new husband for?”

The man who’d been wallowing in bed for a week, looking like he’d given up on life, now glared at the old lady with eyes sharp enough to cut.

Grandma Edith didn’t flinch. She tilted her chin up and faced him head-on. “For my Amelia, of course! Her husband’s gone, so she needs someone new.”

Daniel’s jaw clenched so hard a muscle twitched. He forced out each word through gritted teeth. “I’m not dead.”

Grandma Edith reached up and tousled his greasy, unkempt hair, poked the hollow of his sunken cheek, then jabbed at his parched, peeling lips.

“Well, you look half-dead.” She withdrew her hand with a look of pure disdain, then smiled sweetly. “But don’t worry! If you do die, I promise I’ll find Amelia the most amazing husband. You can rest in peace!”

Daniel hadn’t eaten in days and could barely stand, but listening to his grandmother plot against him almost made him pass out from pure rage.

He grabbed the doorframe for support and snapped, “Enough with this nonsense. Try it and don’t blame me if I cut all family ties!”

“Ethan, did you hear that? He’s threatening me!” Grandma Edith burrowed into Mr. Ethan Campbell’s arms, playing the victim.

Grace Stewart Campbell looked away, not wanting to get involved.

Mr. Ethan Campbell, every bit the patriarch, spoke with quiet authority. “Is that any way to talk to your grandmother? She’s not wrong. Keep this up and you’ll be six feet under soon enough. Once you’re gone, what do you expect us to do—just sit around and mourn forever?”

Grandma Edith, still nestled in Mr. Ethan Campbell’s arms, chimed in, “Exactly! Once you’re dead, I’m introducing Amelia to a whole lineup—sweet young athletes, tall, dark, and handsome types, gentle professors, charming bad boys—she’ll have plenty of options. It’s only fair she tries a few before settling down again.”

Daniel’s eyes narrowed.

Amelia Turner was his wife. As long as they hadn’t signed divorce papers, she was still his, no matter where she ran. No one was going to swoop in while he was down.

With a slam, he shut the door so hard the wall shook.

“Expand the search. Double the manpower. Go through every lead again—don’t miss a thing. If it takes a week, fine. If it takes a month, or three, I don’t care. We’re finding her.”

Grandma Edith’s heart leapt. That’s more like it—he needed to pull himself together! She hurried after him. “Daniel, you haven’t eaten for days. Even if you’re looking for someone, you still need to—”

Daniel hung up and looked at her. “You’re right, Grandma. If I die, I can’t do a damn thing for anyone. So I won’t. I’ll stay alive, and I’ll fight for what’s mine.”

“When I find Amelia, I can be the sweet athlete, the gentle professor—all of it. If she doesn’t love me now, I’ll make her fall for me.”

Grandma Edith was left speechless.

Grace watched his newly straightened back and called after him, “Where are you going? At least grab a bite to eat!”

Daniel didn’t look back. “Gym.”