Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 62

Julian: POV

The words left my mouth-What the hell is going on?”–and the temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees.

I stepped fully into the doorway, every muscle in my body wound tight as I took in the scene before me.

My mother sat at the head of the table like a damn queen holding court.

Victoria was perched beside her, their hands still clasped together as if sharing some secret alliance.

And Elena-my wife-sat alone across from them, her back ramrod straight, fingers knotted in her lap like a prisoner awaiting judgement.

That cream-colored envelope on the table lay between her and my mother, silent and loaded like a cocked gun.

Behind me, I heard my father clear his throat, awkward and uncertain. “Julian, maybe we should–”

“Stay out of this, Dad.” I didn’t look back, my gaze locked on my mother.

2

Just hours ago, I’d been at the bar with him, listening to his plans for the Milan branch, barely paying attention. But the chill in my mother’s voice, the sly look Victoria gave as she left, and Elena’s deliberately blank expression-they’d all left me uneasy.

So I’d ditched my father and come straight home.

Now I finally understood where that unease was coming from.

“Mother.” My voice was colder than I meant it to be. I’ll ask again. What the hell is going on?

Evelyn’s expression didn’t change. She just turned those icy blue eyes on me, calm as ever.

“Julian, darling.” Her tone was pleasant. Too pleasant. “Victoria and I were just having a conversation with Elena. Nothing that concerns you.”

“Bullshit.” I strode into the room, letting the door slam behind me. “What’s in that envelope?”

Before anyone could stop me, I grabbed the envelope and tore it open, scanning the contents.\

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“That’s enough.” I crumpled the envelope in my fist, knuckles white. “We’re leaving.”

“Julian, wait- Victoria tried to interject, but a look from me shut her up.

I crossed to Elena’s side and held out my hand,

Her gaze finally left my mother’s face, dropping to my hand as if weighing her options. At last, she slipped her hand into mine-her fingers ice cold.

We were just about to leave when my mother’s voice cut through the air again.

“Julian. We need to talk. Privately,”

I looked at Elena. Her eyes were so empty it made my heart hurt.

“Wait outside. Please. Just for a few minutes.”