Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 59

Chapter 59

Victoria gasped. Evelyn, they re beautiful! You didn’t have to-”

“Nonsense. Consider it a welcome home gift. Evelyn’s smile was warm. Genuine. Everything she’d never given me.

My throat tightened. I pressed my hand against my stomach instinctive, protective.

“Mother,” Julian’s voice cut through the moment, sharp enough to make everyone turn. “We should probably head to dinner. The restaurant is expecting us.”

Thank God. At least there, at a table, I could hide behind a menu.

But then Evelyn’s expression changed. Subtly. Like storm clouds gathering on a clear horizon.

“Actually, Julian… She glanced at me-really looked at me for the first time since arriving-and something cold flickered in her eyes. “Victoria suggested we

take her car to dinner. She knows this wonderful place in TriBeCa.

No.

The word screamed in my head, but I couldn’t make it reach my mouth.

“Her car?” Julian’s hand on my waist went rigid. ‘Mother, we drove here together. Elena and 1-*

“I’m sure Elena won’t mind.” Evelyn’s tone was pleasant. Final. ‘After all, it’s been so long since we’ve seen Victoria. And you know how much your father and I enjoy catching up with her.”

She was doing this on purpose. Making it clear-crystal fucking clear-who was family and who was… what? An inconvenience? A temporary mistake?

“Mrs. Sterling,” I heard myself say, my voice surprisingly steady. “If you’d prefer→

“It’s settled then.” Evelyn was already linking arms with Victoria, steering her toward the exit. “Victoria, darling, tell me more about that Milan show. I heard Valentino himself attended?

Dylan followed without a word, his hand finding the small of Evelyn’s back in that automatic way married people move together. Like they were a single unit. A teamı.

Julian stood frozen beside me, his jaw so tight I could see the muscle jumping beneath his skin.

“Julian,” I whispered. “It’s fine. Really. I can take an Uber-

We walked to his Bentley in silence. He opened my door and I slid inside, the leather seats cold against my back.

The engine purred to life. Classical music filled the silence-some piano piece I didn’t recognize. Rrobably something cultured people were supposed to know.

I stared out the window, watching the airport lights blur past, my hand pressed against my stomach where our baby was growing. A baby his mother would never accept. A baby I was hiding like it was shameful.

You’re not worthy of carrying my child.

Julian’s words from weeks ago echoed in my head, mixing with Evelyn’s cold dismissal.

Maybe they were both right. Maybe I’d never be worthy of this family.

“Elena.” Julian’s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts.

“Hmm?”

“Don’t.” His hand found mine on my lap, threading our fingers together. “Don’t listen to them. Don’t let them make you feel like you’re not enough.”