Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 60

Amelia only truly relaxed once she was back in the car.

That was close—Charles almost saw the pregnancy test results.

If it had been anyone else, she could’ve asked them to keep it quiet or just brushed it off with a few words. But Charles? There was no way she could fool him. Given how close he was to Daniel, he’d spill the secret in a heartbeat.

Their divorce was already dragging on and on; if Daniel found out she was pregnant, ending things would be harder than climbing Everest.

And then there was the Campbell family.

Families like the Campbells—old money, powerful, obsessed with lineage—would never let a child with their bloodline slip through their fingers. Especially Grace and Grandma Edith, who had been eager for her to get pregnant and give the Campbells another heir. If word got out, not only would the divorce become impossible, but there was no chance they’d let her keep the baby.

She’d be the one carrying this child for nine months—why shouldn’t the baby be hers?

Amelia was once again grateful for her quick reflexes. She made a mental note never to come back to Dawn Hill Hospital.

Trying to get a simple checkup felt like running a covert operation—dodging one person, avoiding another. She was starting to feel more like a spy than anything else.

…

Night fell over Silkwood, neon lights blazing across the city.

By the time Charles arrived at the private suite, the others were already deep into a game of Texas Hold’em.

Daniel lounged on the sofa, lazily twirling a glass between two elegant fingers. He wasn’t drinking, just staring off into space.

“Aren’t you going to play?” Charles asked.

Daniel snapped out of his thoughts. “Not interested. It’s boring.”

He’d seemed quieter than usual lately. Most people wouldn’t notice, but Charles had known him since they were kids—he could tell something was off.

“So, what’s going on with you and Amelia?” Charles poured himself a drink, clinking his glass against Daniel’s. “Ever since you got back from Violet, things have been tense.”

It was rare for Charles to be this calm and straightforward, but Daniel was notoriously petty and hadn’t yet forgiven Charles for keeping quiet about Mr. Boris Turner’s hospital stay. His tone was loaded with sarcasm: “What’s with all the questions? Gunning for my spot now?”

Charles rolled his eyes. “Amelia asked me not to tell you, that’s all.”

“So she tells you to keep a secret, and you do? Remind me who you grew up with—her or me?” Daniel shot back, then caught himself. “And don’t you dare picture you and her in the same crib.”

“…”

If there were an Olympic sport for lying with a straight face, Daniel would take gold.

A round of drinks later, the self-proclaimed happily married man suddenly blurted out a question: “So, I’ve got a friend—”

Everyone immediately knew where this was going.

“His wife’s been giving him the cold shoulder lately. Won’t pick up his calls, barely replies to messages, even moved out. What should he do?”

“That’s easy!” Finley slapped his knee. “Have a baby! Nothing softens a woman’s heart like a child.”

Charles glanced at Daniel, watching for his reaction.

Daniel shot Finley a look usually reserved for idiots. “Did you even read the question? She’s not talking to him. How is he supposed to get her pregnant, wish it into existence?”

Finley grinned. “Come on, man. One good night together and everything’s forgotten!”

Charles just traced the rim of his glass, lips parted as if to speak, but in the end, he stayed silent.