Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 216

A drink might help settle your nerves at a time like this.

Zachary picked up his untouched glass of orange juice and clinked it against hers. “Sorry to disappoint you,” he said quietly.

The diamond on his ring finger caught the light, scattering it across the table.

Amelia didn’t raise her glass. “Sophia doesn’t know Daniel bought you off, does she?”

Zachary froze, the glass hovering near his lips.

“Sophia’s not here, so let’s just drop the pretense,” Amelia continued.

He set the glass down, stiff and awkward, then, after a moment’s silence, repeated, “I’m sorry. I really am.”

“Was it the money?” Amelia asked.

The exhaustion from a long journey was etched deeply into Zachary’s face. He shook his head. “My mother’s been diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer. The only medication that can slow the spread isn’t available anywhere, but Daniel managed to get it.”

A wave of helplessness crashed over Amelia.

It was like clawing her way out of a cage, battered and bloodied, finally believing she was free—only to discover there was another cage waiting outside.

Hope curdled into disappointment, a brutal plunge from the clouds.

For a moment, it felt as if every part of her body hurt, as though she’d been thrown down and bruised.

What pained her most was not knowing who to blame. Should she blame Zachary?

When someone you love is dying, what choice do you really have? And yet, how could she not feel betrayed?

She’d spent three years waiting for her divorce papers, only to see that hope dissolve into nothing.

She was still Daniel’s wife.

She was still Daniel’s wife.

The room was silent for a long time before Zachary spoke again, voice hoarse. “You’re Sophia’s best friend. I’m sorry I let you both down. I didn’t know if you’d ever come back. With my mom so sick, I had to agree. Sophia has no idea—I never discussed it with her. If you need to blame anyone, blame me.”

Amelia said nothing.

He went on, “You matter a lot to Sophia. Even if I told her, she might not have agreed. I couldn’t take that risk, so...”

“So you think Sophia’s that careless?” Amelia interrupted.

She was being ridiculous. It had been three years.

Food spoils after three years. Clothes go out of fashion. Feelings fade, too; especially when Daniel had never really cared about her much in the first place.

She really had nothing to worry about—he wasn’t going to chase after her.

She could understand Daniel’s reaction when they crossed paths again; after all, three years ago, she’d left him without a word. A man like Mr. Campbell, spoiled and admired since childhood, would hardly take that lying down—it made sense he’d be resentful.

Of course he wanted revenge.

And he’d gotten it. Refusing to sign the divorce papers was the perfect payback.

The cab pulled up outside Elm Estates. The driver waited until Amelia was safely inside before dialing a number.

“Mr. Campbell, she’s arrived safely.”

Daniel’s car was parked half a mile away. He made a quiet sound of acknowledgment.

Did Amelia really think he’d come running after her the first day she returned? No—a skilled hunter is never in a hurry. The web is spun slowly and patiently.

Amelia, there’s still plenty of time.