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.”

“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.

Does 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.

Because he was too busy with Victoria.

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

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-”

And sure the woman who saved my father’s life. My grip tightened gently. “I know what you did, Elena. How you performed CPR on Arthur when he had that heart attack. How you’ve put up with Julian’s bullshit for three years while he pines after a woman who doesn’t deserve him.”

Her eyes widened. “How do you-

‘1 pay attention.” I smiled. “And I know my nephew can be a blind idiot when it comes to matters of the heart

Elena let out a wet laugh. “That’s putting it mildly.”

‘So here’s the deal,” I said with a slight smirk. “This pregnancy? That’s our little secret. When you’re ready to drop the baby bomb on Julian–if you decide he deserves to know–that’s totally up to you.”

She stared at me like I’d just offered her the moon. “Why would you do that?”