Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 64

Chapter 64

“Don L. His voice was tight. “Just… don’t. Not right now.”

The silence stretched between us like

rubber band pulled too tight.

Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore.

“You can end the contract early.

The words tumbled out before I could stop them. “I mean it. You don’t have to… your parents are right. Five million dollars is more than generous. And

you’d be free to-

“Free to what?” He didn’t look at me. “Free to marry Victoria? That’s what you think I want?”

Isn’t it?

“You love her.” My voice came out smaller than I intended. “You’ve always loved her. Your parents love her. She’s perfect for you-beautiful, sophisticated, from the right family. And I’m just… I’m the housekeeper’s daughter who trapped you into a marriage you never wanted.”

His hands tightened on the steering wheel. ‘Elena-”

“It’s okay.” The lie tasted bitter. “I get it. The contract was supposed to last five years, but if you want out now, I won’t fight you. I don’t want to be the reason you’re miserable.”

The car swerved to the side of the road. Brakes screeched. We jerked to a stop.

Before I could process what was happening, Julian had unbuckled his seatbelt and grabbed my face between his hands.

‘You want to leave me?” His eyes were wild, searching mine. “Is that what this is? You want out?”

“I-no, I just thought-”

‘Bullshit. His grip tightened. “You’re not offering me an out. You’re asking for one. You want to leave.”

“That’s not-”

3

‘Is it him?” His voice dropped to something dangerous. “That professor who admired you? Or my uncle? Is that why you want to end this?”

“What? No! Julian, I barely-”

“Then why?” He leaned closer, his breath hot against my face. “Why are you so eager to walk away?”

My throat closed up. Because you don’t love me. Because I heard you say it. Because I’m carrying your baby and you’ll never want it. Because every time you choose Victoria, it kills me a little more

“Because you don’t love me,” I whispered. “And I’m tired of pretending that’s okay.”

Something flickered across his face. Pain? Anger? Guilt?

Then his mouth crashed down on mine.

2:01 pm

Chapter 64

ule. It wasn’t sweat. It was furious and desperate and hangre-like he was trying to prove something.

His tongue pushed past my lips, claiming, demanding. I gasped against him, my hands flying op to grip his shirt, torn between pushing him away and

pulling him closer.

He bit my lower lip-not hard enough to hurt, but enough to make me whimper -and then pulled back just far enough to speak.

“You think I’d let you go that easily?” His voice was rough, raw. You think I’d just… what? Sign some papers and watch you walk out of my life?”

“You don’t want me-

‘I don’t know what the fuck I want.” He rested his forehead against mine, his eyes closed. “But I know I’m not ready to lose you. Not yet.”

Not yet.

Not. Yet,

The words should’ve hurt. They should’ve cut me open.

Instead, they felt like… hope?

God, I’m so stupid.

His thumb brushed across my cheek, catching a tear I hadn’t realized had fallen

“Grandfather adores you.” He pulled back slightly. “He told me once that you remind him of my grandmother. Strong. Kind. Brave.”

My chest tightened. “Julian-

“It’s going to be okay.” He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. I promise. Just… give me time. Please.”

Time for what? Time to figure out if you love me? Time to let Victoria down easy? Time to find a way to love the baby I’m carrying?

But I didn’t say any of that. I just nodded, because I was weak. Because a part of me–the stupid, hopeful, desperate part-still believed he might choose me

someday.

He started the car again. Pulled back onto the road. His hand found mine in the darkness, his fingers lacing through mine.

And I sat there, staring out the window at the city lights, feeling his thumb trace circles on my palm.

r

“I don’t understand, I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Understand what?”

‘You don’t love me.” I turned to look at him, at his perfect profile illuminated by the dashboard lights. “I heard you. In that room. You told your parents you don’t love me. So why? Why won’t you let me go? Why keep me locked in this contract when we both know you’d rather be with her?”

His jaw clenched. For a long moment, he said nothing.

Then he pulled my head against his shoulder. “Does love even matter that much? All I know is I can t be without you anymore.

Please Come Back, My Love

hapter 65

Elena: POV

1 woke up the next morning with Julian’s arm still wrapped around my waist, his breath warm against the back of my neck.

“I can’t be without you anymore.”

His words from last night echoed in my head. Not I love you. Not I choose you. Just… I can’t be without you.

Like I was a habit he couldn’t break. An addiction he couldn’t quit. He might be addicted to me, but probably just addicted to my body. The thought tasted bitter in my mouth.

I stared at the pale morning light filtering through the curtains, feeling the weight of his arm across my stomach-protective and possessive all at once.

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