Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 63

She pulled her hand away, murmuring, “Of course.*

She left quietly, her steps light, but I could tell she was holding herself together by sheer will.

The alcove door clicked shut behind us. My mother turned to face me, atus crossed, expression sharp as broken glass.

“Are you developing real feelings for her?” The question was blunt. Direct.

I wanted to deny it, but the words caught in my throat.

‘It absolutely is my business when you’re about to make a catastrophic mistake. For once, her voice carried a hint of fatigue. “Julian, you hated that girl three years ago. You said she drugged you, trapped you into marriage. You said she was a snare.”

I closed my eyes, but all I could see was Elena’s face from moments ago-not hurt, not angry, just numb and dead inside.

“So what’s changed?” My mother pressed, stepping closer, her gaze burning. “For three years, she was your secret, and now suddenly she’s someone you wantto protect?*

“I’m not playing any games,” I said, my voice rough. “But you can’t do this to her.”

“Appropriate?” My mother let out a short, bitter laugh, then her tone softened for just a second. “Julian, I just… I don’t want you making a mistake you’llregret,”

I said nothing.

“Tell me the truth,” she said, voice dropping low. “Do you have feelings for her? Real feelings?”

I didn’t know.

Guilt. Responsibility. Desire. Possession.

But love? I couldn’t tell anymore.

‘I don’t love her,” I said, but the words rang hollow. “But the contract runs for five years. We’re only three years in. There’s no reason to terminate early.”

My father pushed open the door, his face set in that professional, diplomatic smile.

“Everything alright in here?”

‘Fine,” I said curtly.

He moved to stand beside my mother, his hand settling naturally on her back.

“Julian,” he said, voice slipping into negotiation mode, we’re just trying to help you. You could walk away from this so easily-why insist on staying off

By giving you an exit, Dad corrected. “A clean, simple exit from a marriage that never should have happened in the first place.”

But Elena wasn’t a transaction. She was a person.

“No,” I said quietly.

My mother’s eyes finally cracked, just a little.

“No?” she echoed softly.

“No. I’m not terminating the contract early. Elena and I will finish the five years. Then I hesitated, my voice barely above a whisper, “then we’ll see.”

My mother sighed, and for the first time, I saw real disappointment and helplessness in her eyes.

I turned and walked out, the hallway air cold and sharp in my lungs.

Was Elena still waiting for me at the door?

Or… had she already gone?