Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 130

Chapter 130

“Who was she?”

“I never knew her name. Mom shook her head. ‘It was all hushed up. Very private. But the staff talked. They said Alexander never got over her. That he’s been looking for her-or someone like her-ever since.

Someone like her.

A chill ran down my spine. Was that why he looked at me that way? Did I remind him of this mystery woman?

“That’s creepy as hell,” I muttered.

“I don’: know if it’s true,” Mom said quickly. “It could all be gossip. But I thought you should know. In case…”

“In case what?”

“In case he tries to get close to you.”

I laughed, harsh and short. “Mom, look at me.” I held up my bandaged wrist. “I’m a disaster. I just lost a baby. I just divorced. I can barely get out of bed most days. No one is trying to get close to me. Especially not some rich European businessman with mob connections and a dead-woman fixation.”

Mom flinched. “Elena-

“I’m serious.” I cut her off. “Alexander was just being polite. That’s all. He’s not interested in me.

And even if he was, I thought darkly, I have nothing left to give.

We pulled into Mom’s driveway. The little house looked peaceful, quiet. Safe/

“I’m starving,” I said, changing the subject. My stomach had been empty for hours. “Do you have anything to eat?”

“Of course.” Mom’s face brightened, grateful for the shift. “I’ll make you something. Come inside.”

The kitchen smelled like lemon cleaner and old wood. Mom moved around with practiced ease, pulling out a pot, filling it with water.

‘Pasta okay?” she asked.

“Perfect.”

I sat at the small table, watching her. She looked so small in this kitchen. So different from the woman who used to manage the entire Sterling estate stiff,

She turned on the stove, reaching for the salt shaker. Her hand trembled.

Then her knees buckled.

“Mom! I shot up, the chair screeching behind me.

3:04 pm

Chapter 130

MA

The ought herself on the counter, barely. Her face had gone ashen, lips pressed into a thin line.

I rushed over, grabbing her arm. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

“Nothing. Her voice was faint. “Just… dizzy.”

“Sit down.” I guided her to the nearest chair. “Now.”

She sank into it, her breathing shallow. I knelt beside her, heart pounding.

“This isn’t nothing,” I said. My voice shook. “You almost collapsed.”

“I’m fine.” She tried to wave me off. “Just stood up too fast.”

“Bullshit.”

I looked at her-really looked. It all came together in a sickening rush-the hollow cheeks, the yellow tint to her eyes, the way her clothes hung loose on her shrinking frame. Her hair was almost completely gray now, when just months ago it had still held traces of brown. This wasn’t just aging. This was

something terrible.

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“You’re not fine,” I whispered. “You’re sick.”

“Elena-”

“Don’t lie to me.” Tears burned my eyes. “Please. Don’t lie.”

She met my gaze. For a moment, I saw it-the fear, the exhaustion, the resignation.

Then she looked away.

I’m just old,” she said quietly. “Getting old. Not as strong as I used to be.”

My throat closed up. I wanted to scream. To shake her. To demand the truth.

But I could see it in the set of her shoulders. She wasn’t going to tell me. Not yet.

“Let me cook,” I said, my voice hoarse, I stood up, gently pushing her back when she tried to rise. “Sit. Rest.”

“You don’t have to-”

“Mom.” I looked down at her. At this woman who’d raised me, who’d sacrificed everything for the Sterling family, who was now wasting away in front of my eyes. “I’ll do it. Please.”

3:04 pm

MA

Please Come Back, My Love