Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 45

Julian: POV

I watched Elena walk out of that hospital room, her shoulders straight, her head held high like she hadn’t just blown up my entire fucking world.

Get out.

I’d actually told her to leave.

And she did. Without looking back. Without hesitation.

That should’ve made me feel satisfied. Vindicated. She’d crossed a line, insulted Victoria in her hospital bed, and I’d put her in her place.

So why did I feel like I’d just stepped off a cliff?

“Julian?” Victoria’s voice pulled me back. Soft. Worried. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”

I turned to face her, forcing my expression into something neutral. “It’s not your fault.”

But my mind was still replaying Elena’s words. I’m done playing your games. Done pretending this marriage is anything other than a prison sentence.

A prison sentence.

‘Is that what she thought? That I’d trapped her?

I clenched my jaw. She was the one who’d climbed into my bed three years ago. If anyone was trapped, it was me.

“Julian.” Victoria reached for my hand. “Are you okay? You look upset.”

“I’m fine.”

I wasn’t fine. I was furious. Confused.

“She just makes me so angry,” I said, more to myself than to Victoria. ‘Every time something happens, she threatens divorce. Every single time.”

Victoria squeezed my hand gently. “Maybe she doesn’t mean it.”

“She means it.” I laughed bitterly. “You should’ve seen her face. She wants out. She’s desperate for it.”

And you can’t stand the thought of it.

No. That wasn’t true. I wanted the divorce too. I’d prepared the papers. All she had to do was show up at City Hall and it would be over.

So why did the idea of her actually going through with it make my chest feel like someone was crushing it?

“Why won’t she just apologize?” I muttered. “It’s not that hard.”

from each other.”

Victoria’s expression shifted. Just for a second, I saw something flash in her eyes. Something cold. Dangerous.

Then it was gone, replaced by hurt and confusion.

“Stay away?” she repeated. “Julian, I came to New York to be close to you. To try to rebuild what we had.”

“Victoria. You need to stop.”

“Stop what?”

“This.” I gestured between us. “Whatever you think is going to happen between us… it’s not

Her face crumpled. “But you said-”

“I know what I said.” I cut her off. “Three years ago, I told you I’d marry you. I meant it at the time.”

“Then why-

“Because I was paying back a debt.” The words came out harsher than I intended. “You saved my life when we were kids. I owed you. I thought marrying you was the right way to settle that debt