Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 260

But the next moment, Daniel remembered the paternity test and, feeling defeated, lay back down.

No matter how much he tried to reason with his emotions, nothing could change the facts. The report spelled it out plainly: Ruby was related to Amelia by blood, but not to him.

Besides, the dates didn’t add up—Ruby couldn’t possibly be his.

Just like Amelia had said, what did she expect? That he’d somehow fathered a child long-distance?

Daniel knew, logically, that it was impossible. Still, he couldn’t help but picture Ruby as his own daughter. He imagined having Bunny by his side every day, showering her with affection, letting her grow up bold and carefree. Maybe then, she wouldn’t be swept away by the first smooth-talking guy who offered a bit of sweetness.

He even thought it might be nice if she never got married, just stayed with her parents forever, always their little princess.

Stuck in this whirlpool of denial and wishful daydreams, Daniel tossed and turned for hours. It was nearly dawn before exhaustion finally pulled him under.

* * *

The next morning, Ruby arrived at preschool right on time.

Each day was full of new activities, and today Ms. Jessica announced something special: a magical guest would be teaching a magic class.

The kids were buzzing with excitement, their eyes fixed on the door. When it finally opened, in walked a tall, good-looking man.

Ruby’s face lit up in surprise. “Uncle, what are you doing here?”

Daniel ruffled her hair. “Because I’m your magic teacher today.”

A chorus of delighted “wows” rippled through the room as the children snapped to attention. Daniel pulled out a long, thin stick, lit the tip, and with a dramatic flick, turned the flame into a blooming rose.

The children burst into applause, their eyes glued to every move, not wanting to miss a single moment.

Daniel didn’t disappoint. He conjured up streamers, solved a Rubik’s cube in a flash, and made candy appear from thin air. The kids were over the moon.

Then Daniel invited the assistant magician to teach the kids a simple trick, and waved Ruby over.

“Having fun?” He pulled up a tiny chair and sat across from her.

Ruby’s eyes sparkled, her happiness impossible to hide. “I didn’t know you could do magic, Uncle!”

“I’m laughing at myself,” he said. “I actually thought you were calling for some good reason. Amelia, these days there’s nothing you say I want to hear.”

“That’s exactly why we shouldn’t make this harder than it needs to be—for either of us.” Amelia’s voice went icy, cutting straight to the bone. “Once the divorce is final, I’ll be out of your life. You won’t have to see me again, Mr. Campbell.”

Daniel stayed calm. “What’s the rush? A divorce isn’t like picking up a loaf of bread.”

He absently twisted two strands of fine hair between his fingers. “This is a big decision. I need to be sure.”

Amelia’s patience was thinning. “How much longer do you need?”

He switched to speakerphone, propped the phone on the dash, and carefully sealed the strands of hair in a clear plastic bag. “You’ll hear from me when I’ve made up my mind.”

He hung up first, for once, feeling an unfamiliar surge of resolve.

Half an hour later, Daniel handed the sealed bag to the waiting technician at the lab.

When it was done, he sat alone in the hallway, unmoving, as if there was nothing left to do but wait.