Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 29

Please Come Back, My Love

hapter 29

Elena: POV

My heart hammered against my ribs as I stared at the spot where Lucas had dragged Sophia away. The karaoke bar suddenly felt suffocating–the neon lights too bright, the music too loud, the walls closing in

Julian was coming.

I should leave. Run. Disappear into the Manhattan night before he got here.

But my feet wouldn’t move.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I hadn’t done anything wrong tonight. I’d come to a bar with my best friend. Sung some songs. Rejected creepy guys. That was it.

So why did I feel guilty? Why did my stomach twist with this irrational panic, like I was some cheating wife caught red–handed?

Because that’s what he does to you, a bitter voice in my head whispered. He makes you feel guilty for existing. For breathing. For daring to have a life outside of his control.

I grabbed my purse, my hands shaking. The bartender glanced at me as I stood there frozen, probably wondering why I looked like I’d seen a ghost.

I couldn’t stay here. Couldn’t just sit and wait like some obedient wife for my husband to collect me like a lost piece of luggage.

My feet finally cooperated. I pushed through the crowd, heading for the exit, my breath coming in short gasps.

The bass from the speakers vibrated through my chest as I weaved between drunk college kids and groups of friends laughing too loud.

Just get outside. Just get to the street. Figure out the rest later.

The October air hit my face as I burst through the door onto Bleecker Street. Cold. Sharp. Real.

I took two steps forward, gulping in the night air-

And froze.

Julian stood directly in front of me, maybe ten feet away, his tall frame blocking my path on the sidewalk

He was still in his Armani suit from work, slightly rumpled now, his tie loosened. His hair was disheveled like he’d been running his hands through it. These gray eyes locked onto me with an intensity that made my breath catch in my throat.

For a split second, we just stared at each other.

Behind me, the muffled thump of music from the bar. Around us, the usual Manhattan chaos–cars honking people walking past, the distant wail of a siren.

But it all felt far away, like we were in our own bubble of tension.

“Elena. His voice was low, controlled, but I could hear the edge underneath. Going somewhere?

11:36 am

Chapter 29

My mind raced: Run? Where? He’s faster than me. Stronger. And where the hell would I even go?

1- My voice came out shakier than I wanted. ‘I was just getting some air.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

He took a step forward. I took a step back, my shoulders–hitting the brick wall beside the bar.

“Lucas called me,” Julian said quietly, still moving closer. Told me about the situation Inside. The drunk assholes who thought they could put their hands on my wife.”

My wife. The possessiveness in those two words made my skin prickle.

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