Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 131

Chapter 131

Elena: POV

I finished the pasta and set the pot aside. Nothing fancy-just spaghetti with garlic, olive oil, and whatever herbs Mom had in her tiny kitchen. The kind of

simple meal she used to make for me when I was a kid.

Back when things were easier.

I plated two servings, added some grated parmesan I found in the fridge. My hands moved on autopilot. Cook. Plate. Serve. Don’t think about anything else.

“Mom, I called toward the living room. “Lunch is ready.”

She appeared in the doorway, moving slowly. Too slowly. Like every step hurt.

‘You didn’t have to do all this,” she said, but her smile was genuine.

‘Sit.” I pulled out a chair for her. “Please.”

She eased into the seat, and I caught the way she gripped the table edge. Like she needed the support.

I set her plate in front of her, then sat across with my own. The pasta looked good. Smelled good. I just wasn’t sure I could eat it.

“This looks wonderful, sweetheart.” Mom picked up her fork, but didn’t take a bite yet. Just looked at me with this soft, sad expression. “You’ve really grown

up.”

I stabbed at my spaghetti. “Had to, I guess.”

“No.” She shook her head. “I mean… you’re taking care of me now. Making nye lunch. Being strong.”

Her voice cracked on that last word.

“When you were little,’ she continued, “you used to follow me around the estate kitchen. Do you remember? You’d sit on the counter and watch me work. Sometimes you’d fall asleep right there, curled up next to the flour bins.”

I remembered. Vaguely. The warm kitchen. The smell of bread baking. Mom’s hands covered in dough.

“You were so small,” she whispered. “Always wanted to be close to me. You’d hold onto my apron and refuse to let go.”

r

My throat tightened.

“Now look at you.” She reached across the table, touching my hand gently. “All grown up. Not just taking care of yourself, but taking care of others too.”

I felt my eyes burn.

“Yeah.” My voice came out rough. “I grew up.”

I looked at her really looked. The gray hair. The hollow cheeks. The way her hand trembled slightly on mine.

“But you got old.”

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3:04 pm

Chapter 131

MA

rds slipped out before I could stop them.

Moms smile faltered. Just for a second. Then she squeezed my hand.

“That’s how it works, baby. People grow up. People get-

“Don’t. I pulled my hand back. “Don’t say it.”

She paused. I saw her swallow hard.

“Elena-

“Eat,” I said, forcing my voice to lighten. I grabbed my fork and twirled some pasta. “Come on. Before it gets cold.”

I shoved a bite into my mouth, chewing mechanically. Tasting nothing.

Mom watched me for a moment. Then she smiled-smaller this time, sadder-and picked up her fork too.

“You know what?” I said, desperate to break the tension. “You’re not old. You’re just… seasoned. Like a good cast-iron skillet.”

She laughed. Actually laughed. “Did you just compare me to cookware?”

“Vintage cookware,” I corrected, “The expensive kind everyone wants at estate sales.”

“Oh my God.” But she was still smiling. ‘You’re terrible.”

“I’m hilarious.” I took another bite. ‘Admit it.”

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