Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 184

Chapter 184

Elena: POV

I stepped back from Julian’s hospital bed, wiping my hands on my jeans. The nurse’s knowing look still burned in my mind.

‘I need to see my mom,” I said, not meeting his eyes.

Julian’s good hand caught my wrist. “Elena-”

“Please.” I pulled away gently. “The nurse said she’s awake. I need to make sure she’s okay.”

He stared at me for a long moment. I could see the argument forming behind his eyes-the possessive instinct to keep me here, close, where he could see

But then he nodded.

“Go,” he said quietly. “I’ll be here when you’re done.”

I turned and walked out of his room before he could change his mind.

I found Dr. Navarro at the nurses’ station, reviewing charts. He looked up when I approached, his expression professionally neutral.

“Ms. Vance. I was just about to come find you.”

My stomach dropped. “Is she okay?”

“Your mother is stable,” he said carefully. “But I’d like to discuss her condition before you see her. Is there somewhere we can talk privately?”

He led me to a small consultation room. The walls were pale blue, probably meant to be calming. It didn’t work.

Dr. Navarro gestured for me to sit. I perched on the edge of the chair, hands clasped tight in my lap.

“The surgery went well,’ he began. “We stopped the bleeding and removed the damaged portion of her spleen. She’s awake and stable.

I exhaled. “So she’s going to be okay?”

୮

The pause was too long.

“Ms. Vance… the bleeding was caused by the pancreatic tumor. It’s grown significantly since her last scan. The cancer is progressing faster than we initially

projected.

My throat went dry. “How much faster?”

“The tumor is now pressing on several major blood vessels. That’s what caused the splenic artery rupture. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. ‘I need to be honest with you. Your mother’s condition is fragile. Another bleed like this could be fatal.

I felt the room tilt.

1/2

1:29 pm

Chapter 184

PP

“What does that mean?” I whispered. “Fot… for the road trip. We were going to the Blue Ridge Mountains. She wanted to see the coast-

“I’m sorry Dr. Navarro’s voice was gentle but firm. “Your mother needs to stay here. At least two weeks, possibly longer. She’s not stable enough for travel. Any jostling, any stress-it could trigger another hemorrhage.”

Two weeks.

The mountains were supposed to be next. Then the Carolina coast. Then Virginia, where she’d found me all those years ago.

It’s over. The trip is over.

“Can I see her now?” My voice sounded far away.

“Of course.” Dr. Navarro stood. “She’s in room 512. But Ms. Vance-she doesn’t know yet. About how serious this is. I wanted to tell you first, so you could

decide how much to share with her.”

I nodded numbly and walked out.

5

Room 512 was at the end of the hall. Through the small window in the door, I could see Mom lying in the hospital bed, eyes closed. She looked so small. So

fragile.

I pushed the door open.

Her eyes opened immediately. For a second, she looked confused-taking in the IV lines, the monitors, the sterile white walls.

Then she saw me and her face crumpled with relief.

“Elena.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify