Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 247

Daniel grabbed Amelia’s right hand and raised his own left, wiggling his ring finger. “Don’t you see? I’m married. Mrs. Campbell is the lovely lady right here beside me.”

Sarah looked like she’d been struck by lightning. Her red lips parted in shock. So Amelia was really a society wife? Then that means…

Only then did Daniel seem to notice Amelia’s bare ring finger. He shot her a look of mock reproach. “This is all your fault for not wearing your wedding ring. Now look—people start getting ideas about me. See her?” He nodded toward Sarah. “She’s been eyeing me like a wolf circling its prey. I’m terrified over here. Aren’t you going to protect me?”

Sarah was so stunned she couldn’t even form words.

So she’d just been flirting with a married man right in front of his wife? Wait, what? Was this couple insane? First they’re exchanging glances, then playing coy, and all without saying a word about it—were they just toying with her?

Amelia couldn’t fathom Daniel’s shamelessness. Bringing James to a birthday party and then publicly announcing she was his wife? Was he trying to broadcast their messy situation to the whole world?

He might not care about his reputation, but she did. If Ruby ended up being whispered about behind her back because of this, Amelia could barely contain her fury. She swung her hand at Daniel’s face.

“Protect you, my foot! Go let Violet look after you! Leave me alone, and get those divorce papers signed already. The farther you are from me, the better!”

The slap rang out sharp and clear. Sarah jumped in shock. Did—did Amelia just hit Daniel?

Without a word, Amelia headed downstairs. The children were gathered around, craning their necks to get a look at the towering five-tier birthday cake being wheeled in.

Amelia scanned the room but didn’t see Violet. Relief washed over her.

If Violet had been here, Amelia honestly wouldn’t know how to face her. She could handle the gossip herself, but with Ruby present, there was so much more at stake.

James stood beside Ruby, watching her call out “Mommy!” with affectionate excitement. After a moment’s pause, he managed, “Hello, housekeeper.”

Amelia met his bewildered gaze and forced a smile. “Hello.”

Daniel came over just then. Pearl’s father, a businessman with a friendly relationship with Daniel, noticed the red mark on Daniel’s cheek and joked, “What happened to your face? Don’t tell me you got slapped?”

He was only teasing—who’d ever imagine Daniel would get hit? But Daniel nodded. “Yup, courtesy of my wife. What do you think? This blush she gave me matches my outfit, doesn’t it?”

Pearl’s dad was left speechless, unable to decide whether to focus on “your wife” or “matching blush.”

Just then, the cake was rolled in.

“Alright, time for the birthday song! Who wants to sing together?”

The classic tune filled the room, the children’s voices chasing away any lingering gloom. Even Amelia found herself humming along, until she felt someone tickling her palm.

Daniel leaned in. “Why’d you have to smack me like that? I’m upset. You should apologize.”

“….”

With the kids and parents all around, Amelia couldn’t lose her temper. She lowered her voice. “If you want to embarrass yourself, go right ahead, but don’t drag me down with you.”

Daniel feigned innocence. “What are you talking about?”

Amelia turned and glared at him.

The evening settled around them, the streetlights painting Daniel’s features with a rogueish grin. “Have I ever told you how cute you look when you’re mad? Keep staring at me like that and I won’t be able to help myself.”

Amelia had had enough. She pointed to James, standing quietly by Daniel’s side. “Do you have to act like this in front of the kids?”

“Just cover his eyes,” Daniel said, tapping Ruby’s cheek. “And as for your little one, she’ll probably just bury her nose in her bug books—and maybe sneak a peek every now and then.”

Amelia was so infuriated by Daniel’s shamelessness she almost lost it again. If he weren’t still holding Ruby, she’d have slapped him a second time.

“James, call your mother,” Amelia said, her anger now icy-calm. If it was time to burn bridges, so be it. She’d see just how far Daniel would go after this.

James looked confused. Daniel frowned. “Why call his mother? She’s out of town. Won’t be back for a while.”

Amelia gave a cold laugh. “Oh, so that’s why you’re running wild—because Violet’s not in town?”

No wonder Daniel was always the one showing up at school events and birthday parties. With Violet away from Silkwood, he had all the time in the world to bother his soon-to-be ex-wife.

“Tsk.” Daniel sensed something was off. He told James to put his phone away. “Amelia, what are you getting at?”

“So you won’t call? Fine, I’ll do it.” Amelia tried to keep her voice steady, but her hands trembled as she scrolled through her contacts. “Violet’s old number still the same? The one starting with 150?”