Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 5

Please Come Back, My Love

Chapter 5

Elena: POV

A week had passed since that night–seven days of pretending everything was normal while carrying a secret that felt like a weight

pressing against my chest.

I stood in front of my bedroom mirror, adjusting the collar of my cream cashmere sweater.

My reflection looked pale, the dark circles under my eyes barely concealed by makeup. A few days ago, I went to the hospital for a

checkup.

constant

The results came back showing I was already six weeks pregnant, though my body showed no outward signs yet. Just the constant nausea that hit at random moments and the exhaustion that seeped into my bones.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand. I reached for it, expecting another work email.

Instead, it was from Arthur Sterling.

[Come to the estate tomorrow evening. It’s been too long since we’ve had a proper family dinner. Bring Julian. 6 PM sharp.]

My throat tightened. The Connecticut estate–the place where I’d grown up in the servants‘ quarters, where Mom still worked as head housekeeper. The place that held all my childhood memories of watching Julian from afar.

Before I could respond, another message appeared. This one from Julian.

[Grandfather wants us at the estate tomorrow. I’ll pick you up at 4:30. Don’t be late.]

No “please.” No “if you’re available.” Just a command, as always.

I set the phone down, my hands trembling slightly. A family dinner meant pretending–pretending we were a real couple, pretending everything was fine, pretending I wasn’t carrying his child while he counted down the days until our contract ended.

Another buzz. This time, it was Mom.

[Elena, sweetheart! Arthur just told me you’re coming tomorrow. I’m so happy! I’ve missed you so much. I’ll make all your favorites.]

A smile tugged at my lips despite everything. Mom. The woman who’d raised me, loved me, taught me that my worth wasn’t determined by where I came from.

Another message followed immediately:

[And honey, if Julian does anything wrong, you need to speak up. Tell him right away. Married couples don’t hold grudges overnight. I know he didn’t want to marry you at first, but he treats you well now, doesn’t he? I’m sure you didn’t drug him—I know my daughter. But whatever happened, you two need to communicate.]

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Chapter 5

My eyes burned. If only she knew the truth. If only she knew how he really treated me behind closed doors–the coldness, the accusations, the way he looked at me like I was something dirty he couldn’t scrape off his shoe.

【And Elena, listen to me carefully: should Julian ever truly wrong you should he betray you or hurt you deliberately–you will come straight to me. I don’t care if I’m just a housekeeper. I don’t care if they’ll fire me. I’ll fight for you with everything I have, even if it will cost me my life.]

Tears spilled down my cheeks. I pressed my hand to my mouth to stifle the sob that wanted to escape.

This woman would go to war for me. Would risk everything she’d built over decades of loyal service to the Sterling family.

She’d taught me never to bow and scrape, never to accept less than basic human dignity. Even when we lived in the servants quarters, even when others looked down on us, she’d held her head high. And she’d taught me to do the same.

I typed back with shaking fingers:

【I love you, Mom. See you tomorrow. I can’t wait.]

The next afternoon, Julian’s Bentley pulled up outside the penthouse at exactly 4:30 PM. I watched from the window as he stepped out, immaculate in a navy Tom Ford suit, his brown hair perfectly styled. Even from five floors up, he looked like he owned the

world.

My stomach churned–whether from morning sickness or anxiety, I couldn’t tell.

I grabbed my coat and bag, taking one last look in the mirror. The burgundy dress I’d chosen was elegant but conservative, paired with low heels. Nothing that would draw attention to my midsection, though there was nothing to hide yet.

The elevator ride down felt like descending into cold water. Each floor that passed increased the pressure in my chest.

Julian was waiting by the car, scrolling through his phone. He looked up as I approached, his gray eyes sweeping over me in that elinical way that made me feel like a piece of furniture being assessed.

Before I could even greet him, he closed the distance between us in two strides and pulled me into his arms. His lips crashed against mine–possessive, demanding, like he was staking a claim.

For a moment, I forgot everything. Forgot the anger, the hurt, the uncertainty. My body responded before my mind could catch up, melting into him, my hands sliding up his chest to grip his lapels.

The kiss was intoxicating, familiar in a way that made my heart ache. His hand tangled in my hair, the other pressed firmly against the small of my back, and I felt myself getting lost in him the way I always did.

Then his words from last week echoed in my mind–cold, clinical,

carrying my child.”

“I would never let you get pregnant, Elena. You’re not worthy of

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Chapter 5

Options. As if our baby was just a problem to be solved, an inconvenience to be eliminated.

The thought hit me like ice water, and suddenly I couldn’t breathe.

When his tongue swept deeper into my mouth, something inside me snapped. I bit down on his lower lip–hard enough to make him

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