Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 223

At the hospital.

After reviewing Ruby’s test results, the doctor looked up and smiled. “There’s nothing to worry about. She probably just caught a chill last night. I’ll prescribe a warm patch for her tummy—she’ll be fine.”

Relief washed over Amelia. Ruby wasn’t like other healthy kids, so even the slightest issue made her anxious.

As they left the exam room, Ruby pressed her lips together and said softly, “Sorry, Mom. I made you worry again.”

The words were both sweet and heartrending. Amelia reached out and gently ruffled her hair. “You never have to apologize to me, sweetheart. You’re never a burden.”

Ruby lifted her small, fair hands. Amelia bent down, and Ruby cupped her mother’s face, planting a soft kiss on her cheek.

“Amelia?”

Hearing her name, Amelia straightened abruptly, her body stiffening when she saw who had called her.

Charles stood there, his gaze flicking between Amelia and Ruby, whose hands still held her mother’s face. Shock flashed in his eyes.

Hospitals really were the world’s most unlikely meeting spots.

Twenty minutes later, at a KFC near the hospital.

“Sorry about this,” Amelia said, a little embarrassed. “Ruby wanted KFC, so we ended up here.”

Charles chuckled. “That’s kids for you. Sometimes, seeing the Colonel beats seeing a doctor.”

From the play area, the sound of children’s laughter drifted over. Charles glanced at Ruby as she whizzed down the slide. “You know, it’s funny. The first time I met Ruby, I thought she looked a lot like you. I had my suspicions, but figured it was impossible. Turns out, I was right.”

Amelia forced a small smile, hesitating before she spoke. “Daniel doesn’t know I was pregnant. He doesn’t know about Ruby. Could you…?”

Charles’s expression grew complicated. “You’re still not going to tell Daniel?”

Amelia’s voice was barely above a whisper, but firm. “I didn’t tell him three years ago, and I’m certainly not going to now.”

Charles was one of the few people who knew the whole story. There was no point hiding anything from him, so Amelia let her thoughts spill out. “Keeping Ruby’s identity a secret is for the best. Daniel and I are going to get divorced sooner or later, and I don’t want Ruby caught in the middle of all that. Especially with Violet in the picture—I can’t go through what happened three years ago again.”

“Daniel isn’t quite the man you think he is. With Violet—”

Amelia cut him off. “Whatever happens between him and Violet has nothing to do with me anymore. I just want to live a good life with Ruby.”

She tried to make light of things, a wry smile on her lips. “If you insist on telling Daniel, I’ll just disappear again—just like I did three years ago.”

…

Daniel stepped out of his car, eyeing the sign above the restaurant: the familiar smiling Colonel. KFC?

Amelia had agreed to meet someone at KFC?

She’d never join him for homemade dinners, but she’d eat fast food with someone else?

Just as he pushed open the glass door, a little whirlwind barreled into his legs, giggling all the way.

He looked down and locked eyes with Ruby, her cheeks rosy and eyes sparkling.

“Ruby?”

“Uncle!” Ruby grinned up at him. “What are you doing here?”

He felt his heart plummet. Whether she meant it or was just lying, her expressionless face hurt more than the words themselves.

“I know you hate me,” Daniel said, his chest tight with a mix of hope and anger. “But hate me all you want—if she’s my child, I won’t turn my back on her.”

“Violet’s carrying your child. Ruby definitely isn’t.”

Amelia tried to take Ruby from him, but Daniel stepped aside, dodging her grasp. Before she could move again, he turned and strode out of the restaurant.

“Daniel!”

Amelia hurried after him. “She’s my daughter! Give her back to me!”

Daniel pushed open the glass door, his lips twisting into a cold smile. “Funny, you never chased after me like this before—not even once.”

Amelia’s legs weren’t as long as his, and her strides couldn’t keep up. Even when she caught up, he easily evaded her.

Frustration mounting, she snapped, “If you don’t give her back, I’ll call the police!”

Daniel acted as if he didn’t hear, shooting her a sidelong glance that practically said, “Go ahead—call them. See if I care.”

Unbelievable. She’d disappeared for three years, had a daughter behind his back.

Amelia’s panic spiked as Daniel opened his car door, ready to take Ruby with him. Desperate, she kicked the back of his leg, leaving a clear dusty footprint on his black suit pants.

“Daniel, what the hell do you think you’re doing?”

He didn’t bother looking at the mark on his pants—just tossed out four cold words: “DNA test. Right now.”