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–

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

“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.”

And there he was.

Julian.

Standing maybe twenty feet away, partially obscured by a parked car. His arms 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 near my face.

Julian crossed the distance between us in long, purposeful strides. And before I could react, his fist connected with Ethan’s jaw.

The sound was sickening–bone on bone, sharp and final.

Erhan stumbled backward, his phone clattering to the pavement. “What the fuck-

“Ethan Blackwell, right?” Julian’s voice was deadly calm as he grabbed Ethan’s collar, yanking him upright. You have a habit of touching married women? Or do you just prefer playing the hero?”

“Tulian grabbed his arm, trying to pull him back. “Stop it! He was just helping me!”