Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 288

#hapter 288

Then call the police Hire bodyguards. Do whatever you want. Just stay away from me.

I pushed past him. This time, he let me go.

But I could feel his eyes on my back as I gathered Lila from the playroom down the hall, could sense him following at a distance as I signed the discharge papers, could practically hear him making phone calls in that low, commanding voice.

Arranging surveillance. Posting guards.

I’d been Julian Sterling’s prisoner before. I knew the playbook.

Which is why, two days ago, I’d bought the laxative.

It had been almost too easy. Julian had finally agreed to let me “take a walk around the hospital with Lila-probably because Dr. Morris had mentioned

something about “mental health” and “not keeping patients confined.” Of course, one of his security team had trailed us the entire time, discrete but present,

always within twenty feet.

But he hadn’t followed me into the pharmacy on the ground floor.

“For my husband,” I’d told the pharmacist, smooth as silk, holding up the bottle of extra-strength laxative. “He’s been constipated for days. Poor thing.”

I’d bought it without question. Why wouldn’t I? I looked like a concerned wife, not a woman plotting escape.

Now, the bottle sat in my purse, waiting.

I just needed the right moment.

Julian arrived at six o’clock, like clockwork.

He’d developed this routine over the past few days-showing up every evening with dinner from restaurants he claimed we used to love.

Tonight, he carried bags from an Italian place on Mulberry Street, and the smell of garlic and tomato sauce filled the hospital room the moment he walked

‘Dinner,’ he announced, setting the bags on the rolling table. His voice was carefully neutral, like he was afraid of spooking me. Chicken parm for Lila. Carbonara for you.”

Lila, who d been coloring at the foot of my bed, perked up immediately. “With the twisty pasta?”

“With the twisty pasta. He ruffled her hair, and she giggled.

I watched them, my chest tight. He was so natural with her. So patient and gentle and everything a father should be.

He’s her father, I reminded myself. Of course he’s good with her.

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Chapter 288

than mean I had to let him keep at

Let me help. I said, standing up.

Julian blinked, clearly surprised. I’d been keeping my distance for days-physically and emotionally. This was the first time I d voluntarily entered his space

“Of course.” He stepped back, giving me room at the table

I moved to his side, unpacking containers with steady hands. “You didn’t have to do this, you know. The hospital has food.

“Food the hospital calls food. He grimaced. “Lila deserves better than mystery meat and Jell-O.”

“Right. I reached for the plastic utensils, my heart hammering. “And you’re just… what? Playing devoted dad now?”

His jav tightened. “I’m not playing.”

“Could ve fooled me.”

“Elena –

“I’ll get drinks, I interrupted.

I grabbed the plastic cups from the cabinet, filled two with water from the sink. Then-with my back to him, my hands completely steady-I pulled out the

laxative bottle.

One tablespoon, the label said. Effects within 30-60 minutes.

I poured four.

For a moment, my finger hovered over the cup. This was cruel. Humiliating/The kind of thing that would’ve horrified the girl who’d loved Julian Sterling for

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