Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 278

Please Come Book, My Love

hapter 278

Julian: POV

We sat in the departure lounge waiting for our connecting flight to Richmond, the tension so thick I could practically taste it. Ethan’s parting words at baggage claim still rang in my ears, each syllable designed to cut deep.

“Won’t Daddy be angry?”

The casual mockery in his tone had made my jaw clench, but I’d forced myself to stay calm with Lile sleeping in Elena’s arms. Now, watching other passengers board ahead of us, I couldn’t shake the memory his words had dragged up–a confrontation I’d spent four years trying to forget.

Elena sat beside me in rigid silence, staring out the terminal windows at the gray November sky. Lila was curled against her chest, sia!! fingers clutching at Elena’s jacket even in sleep. Every few minutes, Elena would shift slightly, adjusting our daughter’s position, but she hadn’t spoken a word since we’d left

Ethan behind.

The gate agent announced boarding for our group, and we gathered our things in continued silence. Elena stood first, cradling Lila carefully, and I followed

with our carry-on bags.

As we made our way down the jet bridge, I found myself watching Elena’s profile-the set of her jaw, the careful way she held herself, like she might shatter

if she moved too quickly.

We settled into our seats-Elena by the window with Lila still sleeping against her, me/in the aisle seat. As the plane taxied down the runway and lifted into the air, I stared out at the clouds below and let my mind drift back to that night four years ago.

Four years ago, my father’s study…

I’d been three drinks past coherent when my father walked in with him-this stranger who wore an expensive suit like armor and looked at me with eyes that held too much knowledge, too much calculation.

“Julian, this is Ethan Blackwell, my father had said, his voice carrying that clipped, businesslike tone he used when he expected obedience. “My son. Your

half-brother.

The scotch in my hand had suddenly felt like poison.

I’d stared at this man-this intruder-and felt something vicious and raw claw its way up my throat. Elena had been gone for six months. Six months of searching, of hiring investigators, of drinking myself into oblivion every night because I couldn’t stand the silence in our apartment.

And my father thought this was the appropriate time to introduce his bastard son?

“Get out,” I’d said, my voice deadly quiet.

Ethan had raised an eyebrow, utterly unruffled. “I understand you’re upset-

“You understand nothing, I’d snarled, standing so fast my chair toppled backward. “Security!”

My father’s face had gone red. “Julian, don’t be childish-”

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Chapter 278

But ready crossed to the door. yankinig it open. ‘Mareus! Get this man out of my house. Now.”

Ethan hadn’t moved, hadn’t even flinched when Marcus appeared in the doorway.

“I’m not going anywhere, Ethan had said calmly. “I have just as much right to be here as you do. More, actually, since I didn’t spend the last six months drowning in self-pity while Elena-”

I’d lunged at him before he could finish, my fist connecting with his jaw hard enough to send him stumbling backward into my father’s desk.

‘Don’t you dare talk about her,” I’d said, my voice shaking with rage. “You don’t get to say her name.”

Ethan had straightened, wiping blood from his split lip, and smiled like I’d just proven some point he’d been trying to take.

“There it is,” he’d said softly. “The famous Sterling temper. Tell me, Julian-is that what drove her away?”

“Daddy?” Lila’s small voice pulled me back to the present. She was awake now, looking up at me with those dark eyes that were so much like Elena’s. “Are we

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