Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 230

“Daniel…” Amelia drew a deep breath. “You know, you don’t have to forgive me.”

Daniel snapped his head around, staring at her calm face for several seconds before suddenly letting out a laugh. “Amelia, don’t push your luck.”

Push her luck? The words stung.

Amelia had intended to leave the past buried. It wasn’t just because Ruby wouldn’t return to this town—Silkwood held as much pain as it did sweet memories. She had no desire to rip open old wounds.

But now, she thought, maybe it was time. If they were going to talk, then let’s really talk—no hiding, no tiptoeing around the truth.

“Daniel, tell me—who’s really pushing their luck here? Me or you?”

She knew reopening old scars would hurt, but she forced herself to keep her expression steady. “Don’t act like you’re some innocent victim looking down on me. You’re not any better than I am. We both did things we shouldn’t have. Who are you to judge me?”

Daniel’s jaw tensed as he tried to keep his cool. “Don’t drag Violet into this. I never did anything to betray you while we were married—”

“You didn’t?” Amelia cut him off, her restraint slipping as her emotions surged. “Then how do you explain—”

Knock, knock.

A sharp rap on the car window sliced through the tension like a snapped guitar string. Amelia blinked, jolted back to the present, and rolled the window down. A police officer stood outside, face stern and businesslike.

The officer tore off a ticket and handed it to her. “No stopping on this street, ma’am. I’ll need to see your license and registration.”

Amelia handed over her documents in silence, biting back a sigh. Of course. Nothing good ever happened when Daniel was around.

After finishing the paperwork, the officer saluted her. Amelia, seizing the opportunity, nodded toward the man in the passenger seat. “Officer, I don’t actually know this man. Could you please ask him to get out of my car?”

The officer leaned down to peer inside, glancing at Daniel—whose face was swiftly turning a shade of green. “Amelia, say that again and see what happens. I’m your husband.”

Amelia kept her eyes on the officer. “We’re technically married, but we’re fighting. If he doesn’t get out, I’m honestly worried he might hurt me.”

In situations like these, women were usually seen as the vulnerable party. The officer hesitated for a moment, then circled around and politely opened the passenger door. “Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to step out of the vehicle.”

The officer looked genuinely surprised. “So if she tried to make up for it, you’d forgive her?”

“Maybe.” Daniel’s voice was bitter as he drew on his cigarette. “What else am I supposed to do—kill her? I’ll just treat the kid like my own, I guess.”

The officer nearly choked on that revelation, but after a long pause, he clapped Daniel on the shoulder. “Man, you’ve got a big heart. Respect.”

But Daniel didn’t feel generous at all. Not really. Not with Amelia.

Some people—when it’s the right person—your boundaries keep shrinking, your bottom line keeps slipping.

And some people, instead of accepting your compromise, just keep raising the bar higher.

Daniel liked to think he wasn’t a complete fool, but even he had limits. If Amelia wanted him to forgive her, she’d have to put in the work. That was his bottom line.

This time, he wasn’t backing down.