Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 347

Mogan had been sitting in his car for what felt like ages, unable to figure out why he’d even come to Elm Estates. What was he really looking for?

He kept seeing that fleeting image of the birthmark on Amelia’s waist. He hadn’t even gotten a clear look—maybe he’d imagined it. But what was he supposed to say now? “Hey, Amelia, do you happen to have a birthmark on your waist? Mind showing me?”

Just the thought made him feel absolutely ridiculous.

Rubbing his temples, Mogan resolved to sit a little longer before heading home.

That’s when he spotted Ruby at the entrance to the neighborhood.

Ruby was holding hands with a middle-aged woman—Ashley, her nanny. The little girl pointed excitedly at something, her lips parting in a greedy little lick.

Ruby had a thing for a particular imported yogurt sold at the big grocery store by the entrance. After her afternoon nap, her cravings hit, so she’d begged Ashley to take her to buy some.

They emerged from the store soon enough, Ruby cradling a large container of yogurt and digging in with a spoon, utterly content.

Outside, they ran into neighbors from the next building. While the adults chatted, three kids played nearby.

Ruby was still eating her yogurt when she noticed the neighbor’s boy snatch a glass marble from the girl beside him. She refused to let go, and he suddenly lashed out, scratching her face.

Red welts appeared on the girl’s cheek. She burst into tears.

Startled by the commotion, the woman asked what happened. The boy, without a hint of guilt, declared that he wanted the marble and got mad when the girl wouldn’t share.

Ruby expected the woman to scold the boy for hurting someone. Instead, she turned on the crying girl, her voice sharp and impatient: “If your little brother wants it, just give it to him! You’re the older sister—how can you be so selfish? Can’t you let your brother have his way now and then?”

The little girl sobbed, her shoulders shaking: “Last time he took my doll and popped its eyes out. He ruins all my things. I... I just don’t want to give it to him…”

The woman’s tone grew even harsher: “He didn’t do it on purpose! Why are you, as his big sister, being so petty?”

Ashley couldn’t stand it anymore and was about to speak up, but Ruby got there first—loud and clear. “If you keep playing favorites like that, your mouth’s gonna get stuck sideways!”

Ashley stifled a laugh, quickly trying to smooth things over. “Kids say the funniest things—don’t mind her.”

The woman’s face colored in embarrassment. She finally snapped at the boy in a half-hearted scold. The boy, still fuming, lunged at the girl again. But Ruby stepped right in front of the crying girl, small but fierce. “Don’t you dare bully her! If you do, you’ll turn into a nasty little toad!”

She was nearly a head shorter than the boy, but Ruby’s stance—feet planted, fists balled like tiny hammers—made the boy hesitate. She lifted her fist, defiant. “Go ahead and try it. See who wins.”

Ruby looked like a little bean sprout, but just her attitude had the boy backing away.

From his car, Mogan watched Ruby stand protectively in front of the girl, a strange feeling washing over him as the scene overlapped with a distant memory.

Back then, there’d been another girl, a full head shorter than him, hands on her hips, tiny body brimming with the confidence of a mountain. She’d faced down a furious man with no fear at all, shouting, “A man like you doesn’t deserve to be a father! Even our family dog knows to save food for his mate and puppies. You’re worse than a dog.”

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