Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 388

Grandma Edith could read her face and knew they were thinking the same thing. “I have no idea what got into Daniel,” she said quietly. “Three years ago, out of nowhere, he suddenly wanted to plant crabapple trees. I figured, fine, let the landscaper handle it, but he insisted on doing everything himself. Look—”

She pointed to the tallest tree. “See that red ribbon up there? He tied it himself.”

A bright strip of red fluttered from the highest branch. Though faded by time, it still caught the eye in the deepening night.

“I remember he transplanted them in the dead of winter. Not exactly the best season for moving trees, but he came by every day, watching over them like a hawk. The landscaper ended up more anxious about those trees than his own mother.”

Grandma Edith shook her head, half fond, half exasperated. “When the trees survived and bloomed the following spring, he’d just stand underneath them for hours on end. Lord knows what he was thinking. One time I walked by and heard him mumble something—”

“Oh, right, he said, ‘Crabapple blossoms make the best pastries.’ I gave him such a hard time for going through all that trouble just to make some fancy cake. When did he get such a sweet tooth?”

Amelia felt her throat tighten, unable to speak. But it wasn’t just her throat; her whole heart felt choked, as if someone had crammed too many things into it at once. Her emotions, once as clear as water, were now muddied—sweet, sour, salty, and sharp, all mixed together.

It was like someone had dumped every spice and condiment into her bowl—hot pepper, vinegar, soy sauce, mustard, sugar, and salt—then stirred it into a bewildering mess.

That night, Amelia barely slept, tossing and turning with that impossible taste lingering inside her. By the time she arrived at IntelliQuip the next morning for a project meeting, she looked exhausted, with faint shadows under her eyes.

Her assistant told her to wait a few minutes—Mr. Campbell’s meeting would be over in about ten. Since she had time to spare, Amelia ducked into the restroom to touch up her concealer and hide her dark circles—no need to give that jerk any more ammunition.

While she was in the stall, she heard footsteps outside, followed by the sound of a purse zipper. Someone else was here to fix their makeup.

“Did you hear?” one woman whispered. “The face of the research project is set. It’s Mr. Campbell and that woman—what’s her name, Chief Amelia.”

“No, really? I saw something in the group chat yesterday, thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. Mr. Campbell—actually being the company’s spokesman? That’s the kind of thing I’d only dream about.”

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