Daniel’s credibility was already on thin ice, but even the faintest hope was still hope—especially in a hospital, where he wouldn’t dare pull any stunts.
After washing up, Amelia lay down and went straight to the point as soon as their “late-night talk” began. “Whether you want a divorce or not, the lawyer’s already preparing the paperwork.”
Daniel turned to face her, propping his head up on his hand so he could watch her more comfortably. “You know, even foreplay lasts longer than this. You just jump straight to the main act—ever think about my feelings?”
Amelia refused to get dragged into his nonsense. “I think an amicable divorce would be better than a lawsuit. There’s no need to make things ugly.”
Daniel’s smirk faded. “I want to know why you’re so set on a divorce.”
The answer was so obvious, Amelia wondered why he even bothered to ask.
Before she could reply, Daniel continued, “Divorce is just a piece of paper. Why get so hung up on a piece of paper?”
“That paper means freedom,” Amelia replied. “It means we’re finally done with each other. It means I get to start over. It’s not just a piece of paper—it’s the end of what the law calls a marriage, and the beginning of a life where I can finally breathe.”
Daniel’s face darkened with every word. “Wow, listen to you, all poetic. So divorce lets you soar through the skies now, huh? I must be smothering your imaginary wings every night in my sleep.”
Amelia was at a loss for words. “If you really think it’s just a piece of paper, why are you making such a fuss? Sign it and get it over with.”
Daniel rolled over, turning his back to her. He was so frustrated, he felt like she’d make a healthy man drop dead from stress.
But in less than five seconds, he flipped back around. “You just want to hurry up and divorce me so you can marry someone else. You’ve probably got your next guy all lined up. I’m not letting this go.”
“And what about you?” Amelia shot back. “You’ve had a backup lined up for years. At this rate, she’ll age out of the position before you ever make her official. Are you even a man?”
Daniel clenched his jaw, eyes shut for a moment. “For the hundredth time, Violet isn’t a backup, and I never planned on making her Mrs. Campbell.”
Amelia gave him a long, scornful look. “You’re a real piece of work, you know that?”
Better a jerk than single, he thought.
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