Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 301

“I had the wildest dream last night—Daniel Campbell and Zachary Harper both died, and not just died, but died in the most spectacularly awful ways. I laughed so hard I actually woke myself up.”

It was evening when Amelia Turner went over to see Sophia Taylor, and as soon as Sophia opened the door, she launched into her morbidly delightful dream.

Amelia couldn’t help but worry about Sophia. In just two days, she’d noticeably lost weight; her smiles seemed forced, more like armor for herself and the world than any real amusement.

Honestly, it would probably do her more good to let herself break down than to keep bottling up all that pain.

Amelia gently touched her cheek. “If you need to cry, just let it out. Don’t keep it all inside.”

Sophia just grinned, quick and brittle. “Why would I cry? I’m not sad.”

Amelia didn’t call her out on the lie. She just offered, “Want to grab a drink? My treat tonight.”

Sophia perked up instantly, springing off the couch. “Good food and booze—life’s only true comforts.”

Amelia never knew the right words to say in times like these. When it came to heartbreak, words always felt so hollow. She just wanted Sophia to let herself feel, to not get sick from holding it all in. If getting drunk helped, then she’d be right there beside her.

This time, though, Amelia learned from their last adventure—she chose a quiet bar close to Sophia’s place, easy to call a cab home afterward. No more disasters.

Sophia ordered drinks like a woman on a mission, while Amelia nibbled on snacks and kept her company.

It didn’t take long before Sophia, halfway through a whiskey sour, started venting—her words tumbling out faster and louder with every sip. And then, suddenly, she broke down in tears.

“Zachary’s a bastard, you know that? Lied to me for so long, and then had the nerve to propose! And I said yes, God, I actually said yes—I wore that engagement ring around like some glittering idiot, the whole world knowing I was his fiancée. Now I just feel like a clown. No, I am a clown…”

Amelia handed her a napkin, her heart aching. She wanted to say something to make it better but couldn’t find the right words. Instead, she just asked, “Do you still love him?”

“Who could love a bastard like that…”

Everyone knows you shouldn’t love someone like that. But sometimes, even when you know he’s bad for you, you just can’t let go. Logic fails. Your heart refuses to listen.

She’d just turned around from the sink when a man in black blocked her way like a wall. She bumped into his chest and reflexively apologized. “Sorry.”

He wore a black baseball cap pulled low, shadows hiding most of his face. The only thing she could see clearly was a long scar running from his cheekbone down to the corner of his mouth.

He looked… unsettling.

Amelia had always steered clear of people who gave off a bad vibe. She apologized and walked away without a second glance.

The man half-turned, watching her retreat. He gave a low, chilling laugh.

Back at their table, a friend slid over a fresh drink. “Come on, let’s toast to Samuel being a free man again!”

Samuel Wilson, face hidden beneath his cap, took the glass and knocked it back in one go. He squinted, then ran his tongue slowly along his lips in a way that made Amelia’s skin crawl. “Good stuff—just like that broad.”

Three years in prison teaches a man a lot about other men. Somebody leaned in, grinning. “Samuel, want us to set you up with someone tonight?”