Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 81

Chapter 81

My hands tightened on the vest.

“Because she’s his equal, Catherine continued, relentless. “She speaks French, she knows which fork to use, she can navigate a charity gala without embarrassing him. But you? You’re just the dirty little secret he’s counting down the days until he can discard.”

“Are you done?” I asked quietly.

Catherine blinked, surprised by my calm.

‘I asked if you’re done. Because I have somewhere to be. Someone who actually wants to see me.”

I stepped to the side, ready to finally walk past her-

And felt her foot hook behind my ankle.

Her hands shoved hard against my shoulders.

For one suspended moment, I felt nothing but shock. Then I was falling backward, the vest slipping from my hands, the world tilting sickeningly.

My back hit the water with brutal force, and suddenly I was under-cold, dark, suffocating. The pool swallowed me whole, and I sank.

Can’t breathe-can’t see which way is up-

My dress billowed around me like a shroud, the heavy fabric dragging me down. I kicked frantically, my arms flailing, but I didn’t know how to swim. Had never learned.

My head broke the surface for just a second. I gasped, sucking in air and water, choking on both.

“Catherine!” My voice was raw, desperate. “Help me!”

She stood at the pool’s edge, arms crossed, backlit by the mansion lights. Just watching.

“Catherine!” I went under again, water flooding my nose, my mouth. My lungs burned like fire. “I can’t swim!”

When I surfaced again, coughing and sputtering, she was still there. Still watching with that satisfied smile.

“Please!” I begged, my vision blurring. “Please-I’m pregnant-there’s a baby-”

I saw her expression shift. Surprise flickered across her face, then something darker.

“A baby?” Her voice carried across the water, almost amused. “Julian’s little bastard, growing in the housekeeper’s daughter. How tragic.”

“Please My head went under again. Darkness swallowed me.

The baby. Oh God, my baby-

I tried to open my eyes, tried to see his face through the water and tears and chlorine burning everything.

It can’t be him. Why would he save me? He hates me.

“Elena!” The voice cracked. “Open your eyes! Look at me!”

But I was so tired. So cold. The darkness was creeping in, soft and inviting, promising rest.

My death would solve all his problems. No divorce. No scandal. He’d finally be free.

The thought was almost comforting. Final.

My body went limp in those arms, even as they tightened desperately around me, even as that voice kept screaming my name like his entire world was breaking apart.

I’m sorry, Julian. I’m sorry I wasn’t what you needed.

I’m sorry, baby. I’m sorry Mommy couldn’t protect you.