Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 41

Amelia hadn’t expected Charles to show up, but having a friend at the hospital really did save a lot of time.

Mr. Boris Turner was a stubborn man, always priding himself on his endurance. If even he couldn’t take the pain anymore, it was definitely something serious.

The tests confirmed it—acute appendicitis. He needed surgery right away.

Charles stayed with them the whole time, even arranging for someone to drive Sophia home midway through the chaos.

He was everywhere at once, helping with everything.

One of Boris’s friends had to leave for a family emergency, and seeing that Charles was there to help, he took off. By the time the whirlwind of errands and paperwork was done, it was already eight in the evening.

Boris was wheeled into surgery.

“Have something to eat,” Charles said, handing her a packet of crackers and a sandwich he’d picked up downstairs after changing back into his own clothes.

“Thank you.” Amelia took the sandwich, her gratitude genuine. “I’ve kept you up so late. Really, you should just go home. There’s nothing else for you to do here.”

Charles sat down beside her. “I’m off work anyway. I don’t mind.”

Amelia took small bites of her sandwich, feeling her exhaustion settle in. Her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, then turned it face down without answering.

Out of the corner of his eye, Charles saw Daniel’s name flash across her phone.

“Where’s Daniel? I thought he’d be here,” Charles asked quietly.

Amelia unscrewed her water bottle and took a sip. “He’s on a business trip.”

Honestly, even if Daniel were in town, there was no guarantee he’d show up. Or if he did, one phone call might have him rushing out the door again. It wouldn’t be the first time.

Charles hesitated, as if wanting to say something more, but in the end, he just watched her profile in silence, thoughtful, and looked away before she could notice.

Surgery finished at ten. Boris was still groggy, the anesthesia making him drift in and out of sleep.

Amelia had been running around all day. With her body already so easily fatigued these days, she was barely keeping her eyes open.

She stayed at the hospital for two more days. Boris recovered well; Charles stopped by a few times, and even Sophia made the trip in her wheelchair, determined as ever.

“Where’s Daniel? Is he still away?” Boris asked suddenly.

Even Sophia had made it here, despite her injury; Daniel had no real excuse. Amelia lowered her eyes, slicing an apple. “Not yet. He’ll come by when he gets back.”

According to his message, Daniel would return to Silkwood tomorrow.

After Boris finished lunch and went to sleep, the feeling of emptiness—the one she’d managed to ignore while she was busy—started creeping back in.

Amelia took the elevator down, thinking a walk in the garden might clear her head.

The weather, which had been clear for days, had turned gray and chilly again. The sky was overcast, and a sharper cold seemed to hang in the air.

She skirted a little flowerbed and suddenly stopped in her tracks.

In the distance, she saw Daniel—tall and brisk—pushing Violet’s wheelchair as they headed quickly toward the outpatient building.