Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 96

Chapter 96

Elena: POV

The texts started coming in less than ten minutes after I hit send.

Ethan: [What do you mean you can’t go?]

Ethan: [Elena, this is a huge opportunity. You can’t just throw it away.]

Ethan: [We talked about this. You were excited.]

I stared at my phone, sitting cross-legged on the couch with one of Julian’s oversized shirts hanging off my shoulder. My hand drifted to my stomach.

Elena: [I know. I’m sorry. Something came up. I can’t leave New York right now.]

The reply was instant.

Ethan: [Something? Or someone?]

My stomach clenched.

Ethan: [Is this about him? About Julian?]

Ethan: [Elena, are you seriously giving up your career for a man who doesn’t even respect you?]

Ethan: [You told me yourself he treats you like shit. Why are you doing this?]

The texts kept coming, one after another. Each one sharper than the last.

This wasn’t like Ethan. The man I knew was measured, controlled. He never pushed. Never demanded.

But these messages… they felt desperate. Raw.

Ethan: [lust tell me the truth. Did he convince you to stay? Did he threaten you?]

Ethan: [Because I swear to God, Elena, if he’s manipulating you—]

1 put the phone face-down on the coffee table.

My chest felt tight. Guilty, maybe. Or just… overwhelmed.

I knew Ethan cared. Maybe more than he should. But this intensity–it scared me.

Elena: [Ethan, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. But I need to figure out my own life right now. I’m sorry.)

I hit send before I could second-guess myself.

The phone buzzed again immediately, but I didn’t look.

2:08 pm

Chapter 96

M

Tosterul, I pulled my knees to my chest and closed my eyes, trying to ignore the way my stomach churned-half morning sickness, half guilt.

Ethan: POV

I was three whiskeys deep when her text came through

The bar was loud-too loud. Dave from the English department was slapping my shoulder, laughing about something I hadn’t heard. Around me, the other teachers were getting progressively louder, their ties loosened and cheeks flushed.

“Come on, Blackwell, Mike said, grinning. “You’re telling me a guy like you doesn’t have a girl waiting at home?”

“Yeah,” Dave chimed in. “You’re what-thirty-two? Loaded, good-looking-

“The guy looks like he walked off a runway,” someone else added.

Laughter erupted around the table.

I forced a smile, but it tasted like ash.

“I’ve got someone,” I said quietly.

The table went silent.

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“Wait-what?” Mike leaned forward. “You’re seeing someone?”

“Not exactly.” I downed the rest of my whiskey, welcoming the burn. “But there’s… someone. And I’m waiting for her.”

Dave snorted. “Waiting? Man, that’s pate. If she’s not with

My jaw clenched.

you, she’s not interested.”

“Maybe she just needs time,” I muttered.

“Time?” Mike shook his head. ‘Bro, no woman is worth waiting for.”

Before I could respond, Dave whistled sharply. A group of waitresses appeared-young, pretty, dressed in tight black dresses.

“Gentlemen,” Dave announced, “pick your poison.”

The guys immediately started flirting. One brunette with red lipstick caught my eye-not because I wanted her, but because for a split second, her profile reminded me of Elena.

Same delicate jaw. Same way she tucked her hair behind her ear.

“That one,” Dave said, practically shoving the girl into the booth beside me. “She’s perfect for you.”

The girl smiled up at me, all sultry eyes and glossy lips.

2/3

2:08pm

Chapter 96

Hishe purred:

MA

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