Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 289

#hapter 289

Elena POV

My heart skipped. ‘Probably the pipes. Everything tastes like chlorine in hospitals.”

He shrugged, took another sip, and sat down to help Lila open her takeout container.

Gotcha.

We ate. Lila chattered about a cartoon she’d watched that afternoon, something about talking animals and magic forests. Julian listened with that intense

focus he seemed to reserve for our daughter, asking questions, laughing at her jokes.

I picked at my carbonara. Forced myself to swallow. To act normal.

And waited.

It took about twenty-five minutes.

ulian shifted in his seat. Frowned. Shifted again.

‘You okay?” I asked, all false concern.

Fine. Just…” He stood abruptly, his hand moving to his stomach. “Excuse me.”

He walked-quickly-toward the bathroom attached to my hospital room.

The door closed. Locked.

And then I heard it. The unmistakable sounds of the laxative doing its job.

I didn’t waste a second.

Lila, baby, come here.’ I scooped her up from her chair, already reaching for her pink unicorn jacket. “We’re going on an adventure`

“Right now?” She blinked, confused. ‘But I’m not done eating-”

“We’ll get more food later. I promise.’ I shoved her arms into the sleeves, my hands shaking now. “But we have to go right now, okay? And we have to be

very, very quiet.’

From the bathroom came another sound-Julian’s muffled groan.

“Mommy, what’s wrong with Uncle Julian?”

“He’s just sick, baby. He’ll be fine.” I grabbed my purse, checked for my wallet and phone. But right now, I need you to choose. Do you want to stay here with Uncle Julian? Or do you want to come with Mommy?”

Her little face scrunched up, confused and worried. “Mommy, I don’t understand what’s happening-

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Chapter 289

kaby: I know. f cupped her face it my hands. But I need you to trust me. Can you do that?”

She looked at fhe bathroom door. Then back at me.

“Mom, I don’t know what’s going on, she whispered. “But of course I choose you.”

Relief flooded through me so hard I nearly sobbed. Okay baby. Okay. Hold my hand and don’t let go.”

I opened the door to the hallway. The security guard Julian had posted was still there, leaning against the wall, scrolling through his phone.

He looked up as we emerged. ‘Mrs. Sterling-

“Lila needs fresh air,” I said briskly, not breaking stride. ‘We’re taking a walk.”

“Mr. Sterling said you shouldn’t leave the floor without-”

“Mr. Sterling is indisposed. I met his eyes, daring him to argue. “We’ll be back in twenty minutes.”

He hesitated. Reached for his earpiece.

Fuck. He’s calling for backup.

I didn’t wait. I grabbed Lila’s hand tighter and walked fast toward the stairwell instead of the elevator. If they were coordinating, they’d watch the elevators

First.

‘Mrs. Sterling!” The guard called after us, his voice sharp now.

I pushed through the stairwell door, Lila’s hand tight in mine.

‘Mommy, why are we taking the stairs?”

‘It’s faster, baby. And good exercise.”

We descended quickly, our footsteps echoing in the concrete stairwell. I could hear the guard’s voice above us, muffled but urgent as he spoke into his radio.

Five floors, Four. Three.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

Julian: Where are you?

I ignored it.

Two. One.

ľ

I cracked open the door to the lobby, peering out. Two security guards by the main entrance, but they looked relaxed-they hadn’t gotten the alert yet.

We slipped out of the stairwell and walked toward a side exit I’d noticed during my stay. Steady pace. Not too fast.

The cool night air hit my face as we stepped outside, and I wanted to run, wanted to scream, wanted to grab Lila and just go-

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Chapter 289

stay calm.

–

I flagged down a cab at the corner.

‘Where to? the driver asked as we climbed in.

“Penn Station,” I said quickly. It was busy, crowded-easy to disappear in.

He nodded and pulled away from the hospital.

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