Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Elena: POV

Be sweet. Smile. Don’t react when she treats you like shit.

I pulled my hand away. “Is that an order?”

His jaw tightened. “Elena-

“I’ll be polite,” I cut him off, my voice flat. “I’ll play the perfect daughter-in-law. But don’t expect me to grovel.”

He studied me for a long moment, and I saw something flicker in his eyes-surprise, maybe, or respect.

‘Fair enough.” His hand moved to my thigh, squeezing gently-then lower, his fingers brushing my ass possessively. “Just… try not to start a war.”

I didn’t respond. Just turned back to the window, feeling his hand heavy and warm on my leg.

This is going to be a disaster, I thought. I can feel it.

Teterboro Airport was exactly what I’d expected-private jets, expensive cars, people who’d never flown commercial in their lives.

Julian parked near the hangar designated for international arrivals, and we got out. The November air was crisp, biting through my sweater.

“They should be landing any minute, Julian said, checking his phone. Then his expression shifted. “Shit.”

“What?”

“Victoria’s here.” He gestured toward the terminal entrance. “She’s close with my parents. She wanted to welcome them back.”

My stomach dropped like a stone. “Of course she did.”

I followed his gaze and saw her-Victoria Astor, looking like she’d just stepped out of a fashion magazine.

Cver

She wore a pale pink Chanel coat that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe, her blonde hair cascading in perfect waves over her shoulders, her makeup flawless despite the cold. The injury to her head had healed completely, with no scarring.

Next to her, in my oversized cream sweater and minimal makeup, I felt invisible. Plain. Forgettable.

Victoria spotted us and waved, her smile bright and dazzling. She started walking over, her heels clicking against the pavement with confident precision

“Be nice, Julian murmured, his hand finding the small of my back. Then, lower, almost playfully, he squeezed my ass. “Be sweet, remember?”

I shot him a look that could have melted steel, but he just smirked and pulled me closer, his arm sliding around my shoulders in a possessive half embrace.

“Victoria!” he called out as she approached. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”

Of course I’m here,” she said, her voice honey-sweet as she reached us. “Evelyn and David have been like family to me for years. I couldn’t for welcome

2:00 pm

MA

Chapter 54-

Them home.

Her eyes flicked to me just for a second-and I caught the flash of something sharp there. Vietory, maybe. Or challenge.

She’s marking her territory, I realized. Showing me she belongs here more than I do.

She turned her attention fully to Julian, completely ignoring my presence. “How have you been? You look tired. Are you getting enough rest?”

Her hand reached out, touching his arm with casual familiarity that made my jaw clench.

Julian’s response was polite but measured. ‘I’m fine, Victoria. Just busy with work.”

“You always work too hard.” She squeezed his arm gently, her voice dropping to something intimate. “You need to take better care of yourself.”

I felt my blood pressure rising. The way she touched him, the way she looked at him-like I was, even standing right fucking there.

Well, fuck that.

I slid my arm around Julian’s waist, pressing myself against his side. Then I rose up on my tiptoes, my lips brushing his ear as I whispered, “Your tie’s

crooked.*

&

It wasn’t. But it gave me an excuse to reach up, to adjust the burgundy silk with deliberate slowness while maintaining eye contact with Victoria.

Her smile froze.

And then I kissed him. Just a soft press of my lips to the corner of his mouth, quick and seemingly innocent.

But I felt Julian’s sharp intake of breath. Felt his hand tighten on my hip, his fingers digging into the fabric of my sweater.

When I pulled back, Victoria’s expression had gone cold, her blue eyes narrowed to slits.

“Sorry,” I said sweetly, not sorry at all. “Couldn’t help myself.”

Julian’s lips twitched, like he was fighting a smile. His thumb stroked my hip bone through the sweater. “You’re trouble.”

“You love it.” The words slipped out before I could stop them.

r

*Shit.” My face heated immediately.

But Julian just looked at me with this complicated expression-surprise mixed with something darker, something I couldn’t quite name.

Before the moment could stretch too long, Victoria cleared her throat sharply. “I should get going. Long day tomorrow.”

She turned on her heel and started walking, her spine rigid, her movements sharp with barely concealed anger.

I’d pissed her off. Good.

Julian’s hand slid from my hip to grab my hand, his grip almost possessive as Victoria headed toward the exit.

“That was mean, he murmured in my ear.

2:00 pm

Chapter 54

he parted it

MA

I’m not complaining. His breath was warm against nty skin, sending unwanted shivers down my spine. “Just… surprised.”

Join the club, I thought. I’m surprising myself lately.

We still had thirty minutes before Julian’s parents’ flight landed, so excused myself to find a restroom nearby.

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