Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 47

Chapter 47

Julian: POV

The penthouse was dark when I walked in.

I’d left the hospital twenty minutes ago, Victoria’s words stinechoing in my head-words about Elena’s past, about things I’d tried to forget. My tie hung loose around my neck, my shirt wrinkled.

“I want a divorce.”

Elena’s declaration kept replaying on a loop, and each time it felt like someone was driving a spike through my chest.

I dropped my keys on the console table, the metal clattering too loud in the silence. The apartment smelled like her-that vanilla and something floral scent

that had seeped into every corner over the past three years.

Three years of this cold arrangement. Three years of telling myself I didn’t care.

Then why the fuck does it hurt so much?

2

I moved through the living room, expecting emptiness. Expecting her to have left already, packed up and disappeared like she’d threatened.

But she was there.

Elena was curled up on the leather sofa, her body drawn into a tight ball, her face buried in her knees. The moonlight from the floor-to-ceiling windows painted her in silver, making her look small. Fragile. Lost.

My chest tightened.

Her shoulders were shaking-just slightly, like she’d been crying and was trying to hold it together. Her hair was a mess of brown waves, and she was still wearing that cream sweater from earlier, now wrinkled and twisted around her body.

She looked like she’d been waiting for something. Or someone.

For me?

The thought made something in my gut twist.

୮

I stood there for a long moment, just watching her breathe. The way her ribs expanded and contracted in useven rhythms. The way her fingers clutched at her own arms, like she was trying to hold herself together.

Fuck. What have I done to her

Before I could think better of it, I crossed the room. My shoes were silent on the marble floor as I approached the sofa, stopping right in front of her.

She didn’t move. Didn’t acknowledge my presence.

Either she was asleep, or she was ignoring me. I wasn’t sure which was worse.

You should leave her alone. Let her rest. You’ve done enough damage for one day.

1:59 pm

Chapter 47

But Lidn t

MA

My hands moved on their own, shiding under her knees and behind her back. I lifted her up, cradling her against my chest. She was lighter than I remembered-when had she gotten is thin?

“Elena,” I murmured, adjusting my grip.

Her head lolled against my shoulder, and I heard her make a small sound.

I carried her toward the bedroom, her body warm and pliant in my arms. It felt right, holding her like this. Like she belonged here.

She’s your wife, you idiot. Of course she belongs here.

I was halfway down the hallway when she stirred.

‘Put me down.”

Her voice was hoarse, thick with sleep and tears. I looked down to find her amber eyes staring up at me-hollow, exhausted, but awake.

“We’re almost there,” I said quietly.

“I said put me down.” She started pushing at my chest, her hands weak but insistent. “Julian, I don’t want—”

“Elena, stop fighting-”

“Let me go!” Her voice rose, panicked now. She twisted in my arms, trying to break free.

I tightened my grip to keep her from falling. “Calm down-

“No!” She was pushing harder now, her eyes wide with something that looked like fear. ‘I don’t want you to touch me. I don’t want-

I silenced her the only way I knew how.

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