Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 287

Elena: POV

A few days had passed since that night in the hospital, Julian hadn’t left.

True to his word, he’d stayed. Not just in New York, not just the hospital, but practically glued to the hallway outside my room.

I’d see him through the door’s window at all hours-slumped in the visitor’s chair at 3 AM, pacing the corridor at dawn, or sometimes just standing there, staring at nothing, like a ghost haunting the scene of his crimes.

He brought Lila her favorite snacks. Read her stories. Told her about “brave princesses’ and ‘sorry princes that low, careful voice that made my chest ache if I listened too long.

I didn’t listen.

I couldn’t afford to.

Because every time I did, every time I caught him smoothing Lila’s hair or heard him murmur “Daddy’s here” when she had a nightmare, something inside me cracked. Softened. And I couldn’t let that happen.

Not again.

Not when I’d already lost so much to Julian Sterling.

Dr. Morris came by on the fourth morning, his usual brisk efficiency tempered by what looked like genuine relief.

“The wound is healing beautifully,” he said, peeling back the bandage on my temple with careful fingers. “No signs of infection, no complications. Honestly,

Mrs. Sterling, you’re cleared for discharge.”

My heart leapt. “Discharge? As in… I can leave?”

“Yes, I’d recommend that you go home now.” He smiled gently. “You don’t need to stay in the hospital anymore. You can rest and recover much better at home. I’d suggest following up with your primary care physician in two weeks.”

The word tasted like hope and terror in equal measure.

Julian, who’d been standing by the window pretending to check his phone, straightened immediately. I’ll arrange for a car. We can go to the apartment in Tribeca, or if you d prefer the estate in Connecticut-

‘No need, I interrupted, forcing brightness into my voice. ‘I can manage.”

His jaw tightened, ‘Elena –

‘I said I can manage.”

Dr. Morris glanced between us, clearly sensing the tension, and beat a hasty retreat. Well. I’ll leave you two to.

discharge papers.”

discuss logistics. Nurse will be by with

The moment the door closed, Julian turned to me. His eyes were shadowed, exhausted, but there was steel underneath. Where exactly do you think you re

172

Chapter 287

Somewhere you te not

Elena He took a step closer. I forced myself not to flinch. Please. Just let me help. Le me

Let you what? The words came out sharper than I dimended. Control where I live? Monitor my every move? Keep me in another gilded cage?

‘That’s not He stopped. Exhaled. I just want you safe.’

“Safe from what? You’re the most dangerous thing in my life, Julian.”

He flinched like I’d struck him. Good.

“I know you don’t trust me,” he said quietly. “I know I’ve given you every reason not to. But Victoria is still out there. She’s still—”

“I don’t want to hear about Victoria.” I grabbed my jacket from the chair, my hands shaking. “I don’t want to hear about anything. I just want to take my

daughter and leave.”

*Our daughter.”

1 froze.

“She’s our daughter, Elena. The DNA test proved it. You can’t just-

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