Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 364

Chapter 364

Sophia’s POV

I woke to the sound of a car engine starting in the driveway below.

My eyes cracked open, gritty and swollen from too little sleep and too many tears I’d refused to let fall. The bed beside me was still

warm–Lucas had been there, then.

Below, Lucas was sliding into the back of a black SUV, his movements crisp and efficient even at six forty–five in the morning. I

pressed my forehead against the cool glass, watching the empty driveway, and tried to decide if I felt relieved or abandoned.

A soft knock at the door interrupted my spiral. Margaret entered a moment later, carrying yet another tray laden with food I

wouldn’t eat.

“Good morning, Miss Cruz,” she said, her tone as professionally warm as ever. “Mr. Reynolds asked that I make sure you came down

for breakfast this morning.”

I turned from the window, taking in her perfectly pressed uniform, her serene expression, the way she set the tray down as if this

were all perfectly normal. As if I weren’t a prisoner in this gilded cage.

“He just left,” I said flatly.

“Yes. He had an early meeting in the city. But he’ll be back this evening.”

“Fine,” I muttered. “Give me ten minutes.”

When I finally made my way downstairs, the first thing I noticed was the guards. Yesterday there had been three stationed around

the property. Now there were at least six, positioned like sentries guarding a fortress.

The second thing I noticed was the commotion.

A team of workers in matching uniforms was moving through the house with military precision. They carried rolls of padding, foam

corner guards, and industrial–grade safety equipment. The sound of power tools filled the air.

I stopped halfway down the stairs, watching in growing horror as two men wrapped the wooden banister–the same banister I’d tried

to throw myself against last night–in thick, quilted fabric.

“What the hell is this?” I asked, my voice cutting through the sounds of drilling.

One of the workers glanced up briefly. “Safety modifications, ma’am. Mr. Reynolds‘ orders.”

I watched as they methodically covered every sharp edge, every hard surface. Other workers were rolling out soft rubber mats to

cover the ceramic tile floors. Through an open doorway, I could see another team installing thick padding around the bathroom

fixtures.

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Chapter 364

It was like watching my prison being constructed in real–time, each piece of foam another bar in my cage.

The realization hit me like a physical blow. This wasn’t about protecting me. This was about making sure I couldn’t finish what I’d

started last night. Couldn’t crack my skull against marble. Couldn’t find any hard surface to end this nightmare.

Every modification was another message from Lucas: You’re not going anywhere. You can’t hurt yourself. You belong to me now.

“Miss Cruz?” Margaret appeared at my elbow. “Are you all right?”

“Just admiring the renovation,” I said, my voice brittle. “Very thorough.”

“Mr. Reynolds wanted to ensure your safety and comfort. Pregnancy can make one unsteady on their feet.”

That’s right, all he cared about was his child. If I was in danger, the child was in danger too.

I followed her into the dining room, stepping around more workers. An elaborate breakfast had been laid out on a table that was

now rounded at every corner. My stomach turned.

“I’m not hungry,” I said, sinking into one of the high–backed chairs–noting that even these had been fitted with extra cushioning.

“You need to eat,” Margaret replied gently. “For the baby.”

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