Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 56

Amelia suddenly realized just how ridiculous she was being.

It was only a birthday party for Daniel’s friend—of course Violet would show up, even if she was late. Yet here she was, foolishly assuming Daniel hadn’t invited her at all.

Clearly, she never should have come. Not only had she failed to get the divorce papers signed, she’d just ended up making herself feel worse.

She turned to leave, but Violet called out, “Amelia, come sit with us! Join the fun!”

The sweet, affectionate tone was nothing like the blank, indifferent face Violet had worn moments earlier. Amelia glanced back, and sure enough, Daniel had appeared behind her.

The porcelain princess was always careful to keep up her delicate, gentle façade in front of Daniel—never letting a crack show.

Just then, the private room’s door swung open, and a waiter wheeled in a towering five-layer cake.

Finley, the birthday boy, suddenly found himself caught in an awkward bind. Should he ask her to stay, or let her leave? After a moment’s hesitation, he offered tentatively, “Hey, Amelia, why don’t you have some cake before you go? We’re about to cut it.”

She was already here, after all. The least he could do was make sure she had a slice—basic host etiquette.

At his words, everyone around the table quickly pulled in their chairs, clearing a path for her.

Amelia hesitated.

Daniel’s brow furrowed for a moment, only relaxing when he took his seat. He leaned toward her, voice low. “Why are you here? Didn’t the doctor say you’re supposed to be resting at the hospital?”

The music in the lounge was loud and thumping. Violet leaned close to him, her voice soft. “The hospital was getting stuffy, and I saw Finley’s post on Facebook. It’s his birthday—I couldn’t miss it.”

Standing beside the enormous cake, Finley suddenly felt a chill prickle up the back of his neck, as if someone had opened a window behind him.

Mogan, perhaps worried Daniel might get upset about Violet’s health, jumped in to explain, “I checked with her doctor. He said it was fine for her to get out for a bit. I happened to be at the hospital, so I brought her along.”

Amelia sat at the far end of the long sofa, as if an endless gulf separated her from Daniel. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but in the corner of her eye, she saw Daniel leaning in close to Violet, the two of them wrapped in their own private world.

Why was it taking so long with the cake?

He paused for a moment, then, under the watchful gaze of the room, turned to his right and handed the cake to Violet.

“Thank you!” Violet’s eyes crinkled into a smile, a glint of triumph at their corners.

The invisible tension in the room dissolved as people dug into their slices, though a few sideways glances lingered—some curious, some quietly sympathetic.

Sympathetic, no doubt, for the “real” wife sitting alone at the far end of the couch, not even getting the first piece of cake she used to receive.

Amelia let out a silent, sardonic laugh. She wasn’t as pitiful as they imagined. Honestly, she’d expected this. The sting in her chest passed quickly enough.

“Here, try this.”

A slice of cake appeared in front of her—Charles had brought it over.

At the same moment, Daniel, holding his second piece, leaned over and offered it to her as well.