Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 78

“Ethan,” I said suddenly, I’m sorry About last time. When Julian-when he hit you. I’m so sorry I dragged you into that mess.”

His jaw tightened briefly. “Don’t.”

“But-”

“Elena, you have nothing to apologize for.” His voice was firm. “That wasn’t your fault. That was your asshole husband being a possessive piece of shit.”

“He shouldn’t have beaten you like that,” I said quietly.

“No, he shouldn’t have.” Ethan’s jaw tightened. “But what really gets me is the way he treats you-like you’re his property.”

“Ethan-

“I know it’s not my place,” he continued, his dark eyes intense. “But Elena, he’s not good for you. He never was. You deserve so much better than some guy who treats you like a secret he’s ashamed of.”

2

I looked down at Milo, at my hand still resting on his soft belly. “It’s complicated.”

“Is it? Because from where I’m sitting, it looks pretty simple. He doesn’t appreciate you. He doesn’t respect you. And he sure as hell doesn’t deserve you.”

The words hung in the air between us.

“I’m leaving him,” I said. The words came out steady. Sure. “After his grandfather’s birthday party this weekend. We’re getting divorced.”

Ethan’s expression shifted-surprise mixed with something that looked like relief, “Good. That’s… that’s really good, Elena.”

“Yeah.” I forced a smile. “It is.”

He studied my face for a long moment. “Are you okay? I mean, really okay?”

No. I’m pregnant with his baby. I’m broke. I’m homeless. I have no plan. And I’m terrified.

“I will be,” I said instead.

“A friend of mine-Isabella Rossi-she runs a design house in Milan. Small but prestigious. They do a lot of bespoke work för private clients, some editorial stuff. She’s been complaining for months that she can’t find good designers who understand both technical craftsmanship and creative vision.”

Milan. Europe. Thousands of miles from Julian and Victoria and this whole goddamn mess.

‘I could introduce you,” Ethan continued, pulling out his phone. “If you’re interested. She’s always looking for talent, and your portfolio from Parsons was incredible. I’m sure she’d at least want to talk to you.”

elegant

He scrolled through his phone, then turned it to show me a sleek website. Rossi Atelier in elegant script across the top. Photos of stunning gowns, impeccably tailored suits, intricate beadwork that made my fingers itch to create again.

“This is her studio, Ethan explained, swiping through images. “She focuses on sustainable luxury-ethically sourced materials, fair labor practices.”

I stared at the screen, my heart starting to pound. This was real. This was an actual opportunity. A way out. A way forward.

“The work is intense, Ethan continued. “Long hours, high standards. But the pay is competitive, and Milan…”

He smiled. “Milan is beautiful. Great food, amazing culture, and far enough from New York that you could actually start fresh.”