Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 66

#hapter 66

Our family.

The words should have warmed me. Instead, they just made the dread in my stomach heavier.

Because he wasn’t asking me to do this for us. He was asking me to do this for him. To make his life easier. To smooth over the mess so he didn’t have to

choose.

But I heard myself saying, “Okay.”

Relief flooded his features. “Thank you.” He kissed me-soft and grateful-and I felt like the world’s biggest idiot.

“But Julian,’ I pulled back slightly, meeting his eyes. “If she does anything-if she says anything like what she said last night-”

“She won’t.” His voice was firm, certain. “I made it clear to her this morning. She knows she crossed a line. She wants to make it right.”

Because you asked her to. Not because she actually wants to.

But I didn’t say that. Just nodded, feeling the trap closing around me with every word.

An hour later, I stood in front of the bathroom mirror, staring at my reflection. Id chosen a cream cashmere sweater-loose enough to hide the barely-there bump-and dark jeans. Simple. Understated.

Appropriate for the housekeeper’s daughter trying to prove she belongs

Julian appeared behind me, already dressed in one of his perfectly tailored suits. His hands settled on my shoulders.

“You look beautiful,” he said quietly.

But not enough. Never enough.

I didn’t say that. Just leaned back against him, letting myself have this moment before I walked into whatever trap Evelyn and Victoria had planned.

His phone buzzed again. He glanced at it, then back at me.

“They’re here. Waiting downstairs.”

I nodded, grabbing my coat and bag.

We walked down the curved staircase together, Julian’s hand at the small of my back. Through the tall windows, I could see a silver Mercedes parked in the circular driveway.

As we reached the bottom of the stairs, I could hear voices from the foyer-Evelyn’s cultured tones mixing with Victoria’s lighter laugh.

Julian’s hand tightened slightly on my back.

Evelyn’s smile softened as she looked at her son. ‘Of course, darling. I meant what I said I want to make things right.”

She turned that smile on me, and I felt my skin crawl.

“Elena and I are going to have a wonderful afternoon. Aren’t we, dear?’

Julian looked at me expectantly, hope written all over his face.

He really believes this. He really thinks his mother has changed overnight.

“Yes,” I heard myself say. “That sounds… nice.”

Julian squeezed my hand one more time, then let go. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead-a gesture that felt more like a reward for good behavior than affection.

‘I’ll see you tonight. I have meetings all afternoon, but call me if you need anything.”

Then he was walking away, heading toward his study, his footsteps echoing on the marble floor.

Victoria’s smile sharpened the moment Julian disappeared around the corner.

“Elena!” Evelyn’s voice remained warm, but now that Julian was gone, there was an edge underneath. Like sugar coating poison. “Shall we?