Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 34

Chapter 34

“That Il be eight dollars.”

I reached for my purse, then remembered.

Fuck.

“1…” My voice cracked. ‘I don’t have my wallet. I’m sorry. I’ll just-”

“Here,”

A hanc reached past me, placing a twenty on the counter.

I turned.

Ethan stood there, concern written all over his face. And beside him–a young woman in a blazer, looking confused and slightly annoyed.

‘Ethan?‘ I managed.

“Elena.” His eyes scanned me–the wrinkled dress, the bare feet, the tear–stained face. “Jesus Christ. What happened?”

The clerk rang up the purchase silently, handing back change that Ethan waved off.

Ethan turned to the woman beside him. “Sarah, I’m really sorry, but something’s come up. Can we raincheck?”

Sarah’s eyes flicked between us, her expression cooling. “Sure. Whatever.” She gave me one last look before heading toward the door. “See you Monday, Ethan.”

The bell chimed as she left.

“Put the shoes on,” Ethan said. “Then tell me what happened.”

I slipped the flip–flops on. They were hideous. But at least my feet weren’t on the ground anymore.

“She was just a colleague,” Ethan said as we moved toward the door. “We grabbed coffee after a faculty meeting. That’s all.”

“You don’t owe me an explanation,” I said quietly.

“Maybe not. But I wanted to give you one anyway.” He held the door open. “Elena, what the hell is going on? Did someone hurt you?”

“No. I just…” I wrapped my arms around myself. “I had a fight with someone. It’s fine.”

“It’s clearly not fine. His hand hovered near my shoulder, then dropped. “Where’s your coat? Your phone?”

I don’t have them.”

“Jesus.‘ He immediately shrugged off his jacket, draping it over my shoulders. “Here. And let me call you a car. You can’t walk home like this.”

Ethan, you don’t have to–

11:37 am

PO

Chapter 34

Lknow Ldon’t have to.” He was already pulling out his phone. But I’m going to anyway. Where do you need to go?”

1

gave

him an address three blocks from the mansion.

“Car’s five minutes away,” he said. We can wait here.”

We stood outside the bodega, the neon sign casting strange shadows. Ethan kept glancing at me, clearly wanting to ask more but holding back.

“Your feet must be freezing,” he said finally.

“They’re ugly. I know.” A hollow laugh escaped me. “But they’re better than nothing.”

“Elena His voice was soft. I know you don’t want to talk about it. But whoever did this to you–whoever left you out here like this–they don’t deserve you.”

Tears burned my eyes again. “You don’t understand.”

“Then help me understand.” He moved closer, his hand reaching up to brush a strand of hair from my face. “Because I’ve known you for years, and I’ve never seen you like this. And it’s killing me.”

His touch was gentle.

3

“Ethan, I can’t–”

That’s when I felt it–a searing gaze boring into me.

I turned my head slightly, scanning the street.

And there he was.

Julian.

Standing maybe twenty feet away, partially obscured by a parked car. His arm’s were crossed, his face in shadow. But I could feel the intensity of his gaze,

the fury radiating off him in waves.

How long had he been there? Didn’t he leave? Did he actually come back for me?

My breath caught.

‘Elena? Ethan followed my gaze. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I just I stepped back from him, suddenly acutely aware of how close we were standing. Of his jacket on my shoulders. Of his hand still raised

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