Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 143

Chapter 143

Elena: POV

“I don’t know…

The words came out weak. Pathetic.

Ethan leaned forward, eyes searching mine across the restaurant table. would just be for a quick visit. I don’t want to intrude, but-

“Then don’t.

Too sharp. Too defensive.

He blinked, surprised by the edge in my voice.

Fuck. You’re blowing this.

I pressed my palms against my thighs under the table, trying to ground myself.

3

*I just mean “I took a breath. “She’s tired a lot. She might not be up for visitors.

Liar. You just don’t want him to see.

Don’t want him to see the way she’s shrinking. The yellow in her eyes. The tremor in her hands.

Don’t want him to look at you with that pitying expression people get when they realize you re about to lose everything.

Again.

“Elena. Ethan’s voice was gentle. Too gentle. ‘My mom’s going to ask about her. If I’ve never met her, especially since you’re staying with her… it’ll look

weird.”

“We don’t have to stay long, he continued. Just long enough for me to say hello. Show my face. Make it believable.”

I know it’s a lot to ask,” Ethan said quietly.

He reached across the table, fingers brushing mine.

‘But if we’re going to do this-if were going to make people believe we’re together-we need to sell it.”

Sell it.

Like I was a product. A commodity.

No. That’s not what he means.

I looked down at his hand covering mine. Warm. Steady.

Seaf

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3:09 pm

Chapter 143

MA

And suddenly I was to fucking tired.

Tired of fighting. Tired of hiding. Tired of carrying everything alone.

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe he could just meet her. Say hello. Leave.

Maybe she’d like him.

That thought hurt more than it should.

Maybe she’d see him and think, Finally. Finally, my daughter found someone good.”

Even if it’s all bullshit.

‘Okay.

The ward slipped out before I could stop it.

Ethan’s eyes lit up. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. I pulled my hand back, wrapped both arms around myself. “But just for a little while. And if she’s having a bad day, we leave. No questions asked.”

‘Deal.” He smiled-bright, relieved.

The drive to Mom’s place felt like crawling toward a firing squad.

I sat in Ethan’s car-some sleek BMW that smelled like new leather and expensive cologne-watching the Florida coastline blur past my window. My hands wouldn’t stop twisting in my lap.

This is a mistake.

“You okay?” Ethan’s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts.

1 forced a smile. “Fine.”

“You don’t look fine.” He glanced over. “You look like you’re about to bolt.

Not a bad idea.

“I just ” I took a breath. “I don’t want her to see through this.”

“Elena.” He squeezed my knee briefly. “We’ve got this. I’m a professor. I lie to students about why their essays are brilliant when they re barely coherent

can handle one mom.”

The casual arrogance grated on me.

He doesn’t get it

3:09 pm

Chapter 143-

M

But trust -nodded and turned back to the window,

Mom’s house came into view-a smart, sun-faded cottage with peeling paint and a garden fighting the heat. The sight made my chest constrict.

Ethan killed the engine. For a moment, we just sat there

“If this is too much-

“It’s not.” I unbuckled my seatbelt. Let’s just get this over with.”

I climbed out before I could change my mind. Ethan followed, adjusting his perfectly pressed linen shirt.

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