Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 29

Please Come Back, My Love

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.

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

“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.

“We handled it,” I said, trying to sound confident. “Sophia and I were fine. Lucas stepped in, and-”

“And you were about to run. His gaze flicked to my purse clutched in my white–knuckled grip, to my tense posture. “Weren’t you?”

I opened my mouth to deny it, but what was the point?

“Why didn’t you wait for me like I told you to?” His voice was still quiet, but there was something dangerous underneath now. Something that made my pulse spike.

“I think,” I said, forcing myself to meet his eyes, “that you use any excuse to control where I go and who I see. And I’m done with it.”

His free hand moved to my waist. The touch sent an unwanted shiver through me.