Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 82

Chapter 82

Julian: POV

I’d stepped outside for air-just for a fucking minute.

The mansion’s grand entrance hall had been suffocating. Too many people, too much noise, too many eyes watching me navigate this performance of family unity.

Grandfather’s birthday party was already in full swing, but I couldn’t shake the tension coiling in my gut.

Where is she?

Elena still hadn’t arrived. I’d checked my phone three times in the last ten minutes. Nothing.

Part of me wondered if she’d actually come. If she’d finally decided to cut her losses and walk away for good.

She wouldn’t do that to Grandfather. Would she?

No. Whatever else Elena was-whatever complicated mess existed between us-she loved the old man. She wouldn’t miss his birthday. Not after everything he’d done for her.

But the silence from her end made my jaw clench. Made my hands curl into fists in my pockets.

I’d been avoiding her this week. Deliberately. Strategically.

Can’t let her think she has the upper hand. Can’t let her get comfortable making demands.

Every time we talked lately, it turned into the same fucking conversation. Divorce. Leaving. Moving on. Words that made something in my chest tighten uncomfortably, even though I kept telling myself I didn’t care.

I’d already told her we’d discuss it after Grandfather’s party. After this one last obligation was fulfilled. Then we could handle the… dissolution.

The word tastes like ash.

Besides, she was the one who’d caused all this mess with my mother. Victoria had told me everything-how Elena had been screaming at my mother in

୮ Bergdorf’s, how the stress had triggered the heart attack. My mother just got out of the hospital because of her.

She hasn’t even apologized properly. Hasn’t acknowledged what she hd.

That thought made the familiar anger simmer in my veins. Made it easier to justify the distance I’d maintained.

What if she really doesn’t show up? What if this is it?

I ran a hand through my hair, the October evening air biting at my skin. The Connecticut estate’s gardens stretched before me, meticulously maintained, every hedge trimmed to perfection. Just like everything else in my life-controlled, ordered, exactly as it should be.

Except for her.

Elena had never fit into the neat boxes I’d tried to place her in. Never been the obedient contract wife I’d expected. Never stopped pushing back, even when

Lwani ve been casier to just comply.

And you hate that. Hate that she won’t just-

My thoughts cut off abruptly as movement caught my eye.

The back terrace. Near the pool.

Two figures. One backing away, the other advancing.

My body went rigid.

Elena.

I’d recognize that silhouette anywhere-the curve of her shoulders, the way she held herself even when under attack. She was wearing navy, her hair falling loose around her face.

And Catherine. My fucking cousin, her face twisted with malice, her hands raised.

They were arguing. I could see Catherine’s mouth moving, see Elena clutching something against her chest-something burgundy and fabric.

What the hell is Catherine doing?

Then I saw it happen.

Catherine’s foot hooked behind Elena’s ankle.

Her hands shoved Elena’s shoulders.

And in that split second before Elena fell, I heard it-her voice cutting through the evening air, desperate and terrified:

“I’m pregnant!”

The words hit me like a physical blow.

Pregnant.

She’s pregnant.

Then Elena disappeared into the pool.

No. NO.

The word roared through my head, a primal sound I didn’t recognize as coming from me.

She can’t swim. And she’s pregnant. She’s carrying-

‘Elena! My voice cracked, unfamiliar with panic. “Breathe! Come on, breathe!”

Please. Please don’t take them from me

No response. Her head lolled against my shoulder, hair plastered to her face.

Fuck.

I reached the steps, stumbling up them, Elena’s body cradled against mine. Water streamed from both of us, my clothes clinging, her dress a sodden mess.

I laid her on the pool deck, my hands shaking as I tilted her head back, checked her airway

No pulse. No breathing.

“No.” The word came out fierce, desperate. “You don’t get to leave me like this. You don’t-”

The baby. Our baby. I can’t lose you both. I can’t-

I positioned my hands on the center of her chest, on the lower half of her breastbone, just like I’d been taught in that mandatory CPR course years ago.

Started compressions.

One. Two. Three. Four. Five.

Come on, Elena. Come back to me. Both of you.

I heard you. I heard what you said. You’re pregnant. You’re carrying my child.

And I never knew. You never told me because you were too afraid.

Because I made you afraid.

Fifteen. Sixteen. Seventeen.

My arms burned. My shoulders screamed. But I kept going.

I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry. Just come back. Please.

Twenty-eight. Twenty-nine. Thirty.

I tilted her head back, pinched her nose, and gave two rescue breaths. Watched her chest rise and fall.

Nothing.

‘Goddammit!’ I started compressions again, harder this time. “Don’t you dare give up! Don’t you’