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.

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

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.”

“That was mean, he murmured in my ear.

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.

I did my business, then stood at the sink washing my hands, staring at my reflection. My cheeks were still flushed from the confrontation with Victoria. My eyes looked too bright, almost feverish.

Get it together, I told myself. You’re playing a dangerous game here.

I dried my hands, took a deep breath, and pushed open the restroom door.

And froze.

Victoria stood right there in the hallway leading back to the dining area, leaning against the wall like she’d been waiting for me. Arms crossed, head tilted, that knowing smirk playing on her lips.

“Elena,” she said pleasantly. “Perfect timing. I was hoping we could have a quick chat. Just us girls.”

Every instinct screamed at me to walk past her, to ignore whatever poison she was about to spew.

But I was so fucking tired of running from this woman.

“What do you want, Victoria?”

Her smirk widened. She pushed off the wall, taking a few steps closer until we were maybe three feet apart in the narrow hallway.

“I wanted to congratulate you,” she said, her voice syrupy sweet. ‘On your little performance out there. Very impressive. Almost made me believe you actually have a spine.”