Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 414

When Ruby reached the end of The Little Mermaid and read about the mermaid turning into sea foam, she suddenly asked, “Mom, when people die, do they turn into bubbles too?”

Amelia’s throat tightened. “No, sweetheart. People don’t turn into bubbles when they die. Fairy tales aren’t the same as real life.”

Ruby looked genuinely relieved. “That’s good! I don’t want to turn into bubbles when I die. I want to become a butterfly so I can always stay with you.”

Amelia’s nose stung as tears threatened to spill over. She bent down and kissed Ruby’s cheek. “You’re not going anywhere, honey. You’ll live a long, healthy life—until you’re a hundred.”

Ruby blinked, saying nothing. She knew exactly what her illness meant.

She’d noticed the deep breath her mom took before coming into her hospital room.

Mom was pretending to be happy.

But she wasn’t, not really.

She was sad because of Ruby.

Sometimes, Ruby wondered if her mom might be less troubled if she were gone. Maybe then Mom could have a new, healthy baby—someone who could stay with her instead.

But then Ruby would imagine how sad her mom would be, crying until her eyes looked all puffy and red. She couldn’t bear the thought of her mom being that heartbroken. That’s why she didn’t want to die.

It felt like she was stuck—nothing seemed right, either way. It made her feel so heavy inside.

…

The next day, a few of Ruby’s test results finally returned to normal, but things were still far from hopeful. She kept running fevers, one after another.

Her temperature would drop, then spike again, over and over.

When her fever broke, Ruby would bounce around like her old self. But as soon as it returned, she’d wilt like a little lettuce leaf, clinging to her mother for comfort.

Amelia’s heart ached. She wished she could take on every bit of her daughter’s illness and pain herself.

On the third and fourth days, the cycle continued. Desperate and worried, Amelia found Mr. Martinez.

“Mr. Martinez, is it normal for Ruby to keep having these fevers?”

Mr. Martinez studied Ruby’s chart, his brow furrowing slightly. “The flu’s under control, but the virus has weakened her immune system. And with her underlying condition, that’s why the fever keeps coming back.”

“Ashley, you didn’t tell him about Ruby being in the hospital, did you?”

Ashley shook her head quickly. “No, I remember you told me not to say anything. I haven’t mentioned a word.”

Amelia nodded. Good. Ruby would be discharged tomorrow anyway.

She didn’t want Daniel showing up at the hospital. He was sharp—too sharp. If he started poking around, he might uncover things she’d worked hard to hide.

That evening, after Ashley finished tidying up and headed back to Elm Estates, Amelia noticed Ashley had left her phone on the sofa. She hurried out to catch her.

But just as she reached the elevator, the doors slid open—and there stood Daniel, tall and handsome as ever, stepping out and coming face-to-face with her.

Amelia froze, heart pounding.

Why is it that the more you want to avoid something, the more it shows up right in front of you?