Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 268

Chapter 268

Elena: POV

The envelope arrived on Thursday morning, slipped through the mail slot with a sound that seemed to echo through the entire house.

I didn’t rush to pick it up. Instead, I stood in the hallway, coffee mug steady in my hands, and studied the plain white envelope with its clinical return

address. Four days-exactly as they’d promised.

Alexander had called from Paris that morning, his voice carrying that familiar tone of casual inquiry. “How are you doing these days? If you run into any

trouble, make sure to tell me, okay?”

“We’re both fine, just missing you.” I’d paused, recognizing the probing nature of his questions. “Haven’t run into any trouble so far.”

“Good. And remember, if anything comes up-anything at all-you call me immediately. I don’t care what time it is in Paris.*

“I will,” I promised, though I knew I wouldn’t.

I should be back Sunday evening. We’ll have dinner together, just the three of us.”

“I’d like that,” I’d said, already knowing it would never happen.

Now I set down my mug and picked up the envelope. My hands were perfectly steady-I’d spent three days preparing for this moment, running through every

possible outcome and my response to each.

The seal broke cleanly. I unfolded the single sheet, my eyes finding the conclusion immediately.

Conclusion: The alleged father, Alexander Hunt, is EXCLUDED as the biological father of the child. Probability of Paternity: 0%.

I read it once, then folded the paper and slipped it into my pocket. No shock. No betrayal. Just the cold satisfaction of a theory confirmed.

Of course Alexander wasn’t Lila’s father. It fit perfectly with everything else-the convenient amnesia, the isolated location, the careful construction of a reality designed to keep me dependent. Why would he tell the truth about something this fundamental when everything else had been a lie?

Upstairs, I could hear Lila singing to herself. The sound made my chest tighten. Whatever Alexander’s lies, whatever game he was playing, she was innocent

in all of this. And she was my priority now.

I walked to the kitchen and pulled out my laptop, opening a private browser window. My searches over the past few days had been careful, methodical. Julian’s warning about Alexander’s surveillance had made me paranoid about digital footprints, but I’d found ways around it-public wifi, cleared browsing

history, cash payments for everything.

I’d already identified the investigator I wanted: M. Investigations. No flashy website, no testimonials, just a reputation for discretion and results. I’d been waiting for the paternity results before making contact, needing to know exactly what I was dealing with.

Now I knew.

I typed quickly:

Subject: URGENT – Multiple inquiries needed

1/2

2:00 pm P P

Chapter 268

Message: I need comprehensive information on Josephine Vance – burial location, circumstances of death, any irregularities. Died approximately 4 years ago, possibly New York area. Also need background check on Alexander Hunt, London-based businessman. Discretion essential. Willing to pay premium for expedited results.

I signed it Elena Hunt and hit send. The Irony of using Alexander’s surname to investigate him wasn’t lost on me.

While I waited for a response, I began planning. Alexander wouldn’t be back until Sunday-that gave me three days. Three days to gather information, to prepare, to decide my next move.

I couldn’t stay here. That much was clear. Whatever Alexander’s endgame whatever he’d done to my mother, to me, I couldn’t continue playing the grateful amnesia victim. But I also couldn’t just run blindly. I needed facts. Evidence. A plan that would protect Lila and give me leverage.

Julian’s business card was still hidden in my jewelry box, along with the flash drive Celeste had given me. I’d studied both repeatedly over the past few days, weighing my options. Julian clearly had his own agenda-his hatred for Alexander was personal, visceral. That made him useful but not trustworthy.

No, this had to be my play. My investigation. My choice about what came next.

My laptop chimed with a new email. M had responded within an hour.

Ms. Hunt,

I can handle both requests. Express service available. Confirm if you want me to proceed with full background investigation.

-M

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify