Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 129

Chapter 129

Elena: POV

“That man who-” She sucked in a breath. The one who drugged you?”

“Yeah.” I turned to look out the window. Palm trees blurred past. Alexander got there in time. Called the ambulance. Stayed until Julian showed up.”

Mom’s hands gripped the steering wheel harder. Her knuckles went white

“Elena.” Her voice dropped low. “I need you to listen to me very carefully.”

Something in her tone made my stomach clench.

“What?”

Mr. Alexander…” She paused, choosing her words like they might explode. “He’s not someone you should get close to.”

I almost laughed. “Mom, I barely know the guy. We’ve met twice. That’s it.”

“Good.” She nodded, more to herself than me. “Keep it that way.”

“Why? He seemed nice. Respectful. Way more respectful than most of the Sterling family ever was.”

‘I know he seems that way.” Mom’s voice carried a weight I didn’t understand. “But there are things about him… His background is complicated.”

Complicated. That word again. Everything in my life was fucking complicated.

“What kind of complicated?”

She hesitated. The silence stretched between us, thick and uncomfortable.

‘I shouldn’t speak out of turn,” she finally said. “But there are rumors. About his business dealings. About the people he associates with.”

“What people?”

“Elena.” She glanced at me, her face drawn. “They say he has connections to… to people who operate outside the law. Dangerous people. Black market connections, maybe worse.”

I stared at her. “You’re saying Alexander is involved with organized crime?”

“I’m saying I don’t know for certain.” Her voice shook slightly. “But when I worked at the estate, I heard things. Whispers about the other branch of the Sterling family. About how they made their real money.”

The other branch. I’d never thought much about it. Julian had mentioned relatives in Europe, but never with much detail.

“So what?” I crossed my arms. “Even if it’s true, it’s not like I’m planning to hang out with him. I just said thank you for helping me. That’s it

‘I know.” Mom’s shoulders relaxed a fraction. I just… I don’t want you mixed up with that family anymore. Any part of that family.”

1/3

3:04 pm

Chapter 129

MA

Trust me The words came out bitter. “I’m done with the Sterlings. All of them.”

I meant it. I was done with Julian, done with the estate, done with the whole goddamn world they lived in. Alexander might be polite, might seem kind, but he was still part of that world. Still connected to the family that had destroyed me.

“Good.” Mom nodded again. Then, softer: “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I don’t mean to sound paranoid. I just want you safe.”

“I know.”

We drove in silence for a while. The Florida sun beat down on the windshield, bright and relentless.

There was something else,” I said, still staring out the window.

“What?”

“The way he looked at me.” I frowned, trying to put it into words. “It was weird. Like he was seeing someone else. Like he was looking through me at another

person.”

Mom’s breath caught. Just for a second, but I heard it.

“Did you notice that too?” I asked.

“I…” She trailed off. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Mom.” I turned to face her fully. “What aren’t you telling me?”

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