Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 157

Chapter 157

Elena: POV

The words hung in the air between us like a challenge.

Around us, the sleepy Georgia town suddenly felt too small, oo quiet. A couple walking past stopped mid-step, their heads turning toward us like we were some kind of show.

I didn’t give a fuck.

“Ethan,” I said again, my voice lower but just as sharp. “What the hell are you doing here?

He didn’t flinch. Just stood there against that brick wall with his hands in his jacket pockets, watching me like he’d been expecting this exact moment.

Elena He straightened up slowly. “I can explain-

“Can you?” I cut him off, crossing the distance between us in three strides. Mom called my name behind me, but I didn’t stop. ‘Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’ve been following us.”

His jaw tightened. “It’s not like that.”

“Then what is it like?” My hands were shaking. I clenched them into fists. “That black sedan at the RV rental place. The gas station. The rest stop. The highway. That was you, wasn’t it?”

A muscle jumped in his cheek. “Yes.”

The admission hit me like a slap. Part of me had wanted to be wrong. Wanted it to be paranoia, not reality.

*Jesus Christ, Ethan. I laughed, but it came out bitter. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

‘I was trying to keep you safe,” he said, his voice tight.

“Safe?’ I stared at him. “By stalking us across two states?”

“Elena. Mom’s hand touched my elbow. I’d been so focused on Ethan that I hadn’t noticed her catching up. She was breathing hard, her face pale. Shit. I

shouldn’t have made her walk so fast.

‘Mom, go sit down-*

‘I’m fine.” She squeezed my arm gently. “But maybe we should talk about this somewhere less… public?”

I glanced around. The couple who’d stopped was still watching. An old woman on a bench across the street had lowered her newspaper to stare. The lady at the produce stand was craning her neck.

Fucking small towns.

‘Fine.” I turned back to Ethan. “But you better have a damn good explanation.”

1/2

Chapter 157

Wein up at a table outside the diner, the same one where Mom and I had eaten pancakes an hour ago. The waitress brought coffee without being asked, probably sensing the tension coming off me.

Mom sat between us, her hands wrapped around her mug. Ethan sat across from ree, his posture careful. Controlled.

I hated how calm he looked.

“Talk,” I said flatly.

He took a breath. “I was worried about you.”

‘So you followed us? Without telling me?” I leaned forward. “That’s not worry, Ethan. That’s- I caught myself before I said what I was thinking. That’s what Julian would do. Control disguised as protection.

“I know how it looks,” Ethan said. “But after the bonfire, after what Alexander said-

“Alexander? Mom’s head snapped up. “What does he have to do with this?”

Ethan’s eyes flicked to her, then back to me. “He showed up at that party for a reason. And it wasn’t coincidence.”

“Everything’s a fucking conspiracy with you people, I muttered.

‘Elena. Mom’s voice held a warning. Then, to Ethan: “What are you talking about?”

Ethan ran a hand through his hair. For the first time, he looked uncertain. I shouldn’t have-look, I was planning to drive up to Virginia anyway. For work.

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