Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 330

“What’s this?”

Daniel was hunched over his phone when he spotted a bottle on the floor and picked it up.

Amelia stepped out of the bedroom just in time to see Daniel holding Ruby’s medicine. Her heart skipped.

“It’s just children’s vitamins. Why? Planning to try them yourself?” Striding over, she snatched the bottle from his hand without ceremony.

“Why aren’t there any labels on these? You should be careful with what kids take.”

“She’s my daughter. Of course I’m careful,” Amelia said, relieved he didn’t seem suspicious. As her pulse slowed, she shot him a look. “Aren’t you leaving yet?”

Daniel let out a laugh, half amused, half exasperated. “I bring you pastries and you kick me out the second we’re done? You’re even colder than a librarian.”

“Thank you for the pastries,” Amelia replied with a polite smile, already ushering him toward the door. “Unless you want me to fetch a broom.”

Daniel, as usual, only heard what he wanted to hear. “I’m tired. Mind if I crash on your couch for a bit?”

“If you need sleep, go home. Don’t nap here,” Amelia said, but Daniel had already made his way to the longest sofa, dropped onto it, and promptly went silent.

Amelia marched over, intending to kick him awake. Her foot was halfway raised when she caught sight of the shadows under his thick lashes—he looked like he hadn’t slept all night.

She hesitated. If he keeled over from exhaustion, she’d be the first person they’d blame. With a sigh, she let him be.

Later, as Amelia played kitchen games with Ruby, the little girl glanced over at Daniel sleeping soundly on the couch and whispered, “Mommy, why can’t Uncle Daniel know about my illness?”

Amelia lowered her voice as well. “Because you’re going to get better, Ruby. I don’t want people looking at you with pity.”

That was a lie. The real reason was that Amelia feared Daniel might dig into Ruby’s illness and start asking questions about the past. Even though Ruby’s records had all been altered, there was no such thing as a perfect lie. If Daniel pulled on that thread, he might discover the truth—that Ruby was his daughter.

Daniel slept deeply, not stirring until late afternoon.

After his nap, Daniel seemed gentler, almost dreamy. “If only there was a way to freeze time,” he murmured.

Amelia figured he was still half-asleep. “Ashley made some berry and oat pudding. If you want some, help yourself.”

Daniel pushed off the blanket, a smile curling on his lips.

“What’s so funny?” Amelia asked.

He shuffled to the kitchen in his slippers. “I was born smiling.”

Ruby piped up, “Mommy, I know why he’s smiling.”

Amelia glanced at her. Ruby said, “That’s a happy smile. People smile like that when they feel really, really happy.”

Amelia was speechless.