Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 135

The Uber ride home was quiet except for the driver’s radio playing soft jazz. Mora leaned her head against the window, eyes closed, her breathing shallow but steady. I held her hand, memorizing the feel of her fingers, the pattern of veins under papery skin

My phone buzzed. Julian.

[Are you okay? Please let me know you’re safe.]

I stared at the message for a moment, then deleted it without responding. That felt like another lifetime-Julian, our fights, the complicated mess of our

relationship. None of it mattered now.

Back at the little house, I helped Mom inside, one arm around her waist as she leaned heavily against me. She moved like every step cost her something

precious.

“Sit.” I guided her to the couch, fluffing the pillows behind her back. “I’ll make tea.”

“Elena-”

“No.” I knelt in front of her, taking both her hands in mine. They were so cold. ‘Listen to me. I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying here with you. For as long

as you need me.”

“But your life-your job, your apartment-

“This is my life now.” My voice shook with the weight of the decision I was making in real time. “Taking care of you. Being with you. That’s what matters.”

Her eyes filled with fresh tears. “You don’t have to sacrifice everything for me.

“Yes, I do.” I squeezed her hands, willing some of my warmth into her. “You’ve taken care of me my whole life. You gave me everything-love, support, opportunities. You worked two jobs to pay for my college. You never missed a single school play or event. Let me do this for you. Please.”

She stared at me for a long moment, and I could see her wrestling with it-the guilt of accepting help, the fear of being a burden, the relief of not having to

face this alone.

Then her face crumpled.

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“Okay.” The word came out choked. “Okay, baby.”

I pulled her into my arms again. We cried together-her for accepting what was coming, me for what we were about to lose. For all the conversations we’d never have, all the moments that would be cut short.

When we finally pulled apart, she wiped her eyes with shaking hands.

‘I need to get something. She pushed herself up slowly, using the arm of the couch for support. “Wait here.”

I watched her shuffle toward her bedroom, each step careful and measured. My heart cracked a little more with every labored movement.

She disappeared through the doorway. I heard drawers opening. Closing. The sound of something heavy being moved.

3:05 pm

OMA

Chapter 135-

miastes later, she emerged carrying a small wooden box. Dark mahogany, carved with intricate designs that looked old-really old. Like it had been passed down through generations.

I’d never seen it before.

She sat back down, the box resting in her lap. Her fingers traced the carvings with something that looked like reverence.

“Open it,” she said softly.

I took the box from her hands. It was heavier than I expected, solid and substantial. The wood was smooth under my fingers, polished by years of handling.

I lifted the lid.

Inside, nestled on faded burgundy velvet, was a silver locket. The metal was tarnished with age but still beautiful-white gold that caught the afternoon light streaming through the windows.

The pendant was carved with an intricate rose, its petals so detailed I could see the individual thorns etched into the surface. It hung from a delicate chain that looked expensive, real. Elegant initials were engraved around the edge-A.M.H.-in script so fine it looked like calligraphy.

It was beautiful. Stunning, actually. And completely unlike anything I’d ever seen Mom wear.

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“Mom…” I looked up at her, confused. “When did you get this?”

She didn’t answer right away. Just stared at the locket with an expression I couldn’t read-part sadness, part fear, part something that looked almost like

guilt.

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