Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 21

Chapter 21

And Julian had told her to stop being dramatic.

My hands clenched into fists so tight my knuckles went white.

Another text from David: Victoria Astor returned from Paris today. Julian picked her up at Teterboro. Multiple photos of them together circulating on social media.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Julian’s number.

He answered on the third ring. “Alexander? What-

“Get to NewYork–Presbyterian. Now. My voice was ice.

“What? I’m busy-

“Your wife is in the fucking ER.” I let each word land like a blow. “She was drugged and assaulted at a business meeting. She called you for help, and you hung up on her.”

Silence. Then: “Elena’s at the hospital?”

“Room 347. Get here, Now.”

I hung up before he

could respond.

A doctor approached me in the waiting area–young, competent–looking, with kind eyes behind wire–rimmed glasses.

“Mr. Sterling? I’m Dr. Sarah Jones. I’ve been examining your… niece?”

I nodded. “How is she?”

‘She’s stable. We’ve administered activated charcoal to help absorb the drug–likely Rohypnox given the symptoms. We’re running a full toxicology panel.”

My jaw clenched. “That bastard.”

ľ

“We’ve also collected evidence for a potential assault case, though… Dr.Jones paused. “There’s something else you should know.”

“She’s pregnant,” Dr.Jones said quietly. About seven weeks along. The baby appears unharmed, but we need to monitor her closely.”

I stood there, frozen.

Pregnant.

Elena was carrying Julian’s child.

And Julian didn’t even fucking know.

11:35 am

Chapter 21

POC

Dnes she know? I managed.

Dr. Jones nodded. ‘Based on her medical history and the prenatal vitamins in her system, yes.”

Alone. She’s been doing this completely alone.

“The good news is that we caught this early. The drug dosage wasn’t high enough to cause immediate harm to the fetus. She‘ need rest and monitoring, but both she and the baby should be fine.7

“Can I see her?”

“She’s awake now. A bit groggy, but lucid. Dr. Jones smiled. “She’s asking for you, actually. Kept saying he came back.”

I pushed open the door to Elena’s room.

She was sitting up in bed, looking small and lost in a hospital gown, her brown hair tangled around her shoulders. When she saw me, her eyes went wide- first with relief, then confusion.

“You…” Her voice was hoarse. “You’re not Julian.”

“No.” I pulled a chair over and sat down. “I’m Alexander Sterling. Julian’s uncle.”

She blinked. “Uncle?”

“Yeah.” I leaned forward. “How are you feeling?”

Like I got hit by truck.”

She touched her forehead gingerly. “But… better. The doctor said you brought me here. That you saved me from Morrison.”

“I was in the area. Saw what was happening. I kept my voice gentle. ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t get there sooner.”

Elena’s eyes filled with tears. ‘I called Julian. He… he didn’t come.”

Because he was too busy with Victoria.

“I know,” I said quietly. “And that’s on him, not you.”

r

She wiped at her eyes, then seemed to notice the IV in her arm, the monitors beeping softly. Realization dawned on her face, followed by panic.

“The doctor, she whispered. “She told you, didn’t she?”

I nodded. “About the pregnancy? Yeah.”

Elena’s hand moved instinctively to her stomach, protective and terrified. “You can’t tell Julian. Please. You can’t-”

“Hey.” I reached out, covering her hand with mine. “Breathe. I’m not going to tell him anything.”

“But he’s your nephew-”

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