Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 99

Chapter 99

“Mr. Sterling, I need to discuss Elenas bloodwork from last week.”

My stomach dropped.

“What about it?”

She pulled up something on her computer screen. Charts. Numbers that meant nothing to me.

*Her AFP levels-alpha-fetoprotein-came back significantly elevated. Combined with her age and the ultrasound measurements, I’m concerned about potential chromosomal abnormalities.”

The words hit me like a fist to the gut.

“What kind of abnormalities?”

“The most common would be Down syndrome. Based on the screening results, I’d estimate the risk at approximately one in fifteen.”

One in fifteen.

I stared at her.

“That’s-that’s high?”

“Higher than average, yes. We’d need to do an amniocentesis to confirm, but given the numbers-”

“What does that mean?” I cut her off. “If it’s… if the baby has Down syndrome?”

Dr. Morgan’s expression softened. “It would mean lifelong care. Developmental delays. Potential heart defects, thyroid issues. Every case is different, but-

“I need options.”

She paused. “Options?”

“If the test confirms it. What are our options?”

Her eyes held mine. “You’d have time to make a decision. Some families choose to continue the pregnancy. Others-”

“Others terminate.”

“Yes.”

The word hung between us.

‘Does Elena know?” I asked.

“Not yet. I wanted to speak with you first, given the nature of-”

‘Don’t tell her.”

2:08 pm

Chapter 99

MA

The Morgan’s eyebrows rose: “Mr Sterling-

‘Not yet,” I said. “I need to process this. We ll schedule the amnio, but I don’t want her panicking until we know for certain.”

Julian, she has a right to-

“She’s my wife. My voice came out harder than I intended. “And she’s already stressed. I’ll tell her when the time is right.

Dr. Morgan looked like she wanted to argue. But something in my expression must have stopped her.

“Alright,” she said quietly. “But you need to tell her soon. Before we schedule any procedures.”

“I will.”

When I came back to the exam room, Elena was sitting on the edge of the table, fully dressed, studying the ultrasound photos.

She looked up and smiled. “Look-you can see the fingers.”

I moved to her side, and she leaned against me.

“Everything okay?” she asked. “With the paperwork?”

“Fine,” I said. “Just scheduling the next appointment.”

Another lie.

She pressed one of the photos into my hand. “For your wallet.”

I stared down at the grainy black-and-white image.

Our baby.

Maybe.

Or maybe something else. Something broken. Something that would need constant care, constant attention, constant-

“Julian?”

I blinked and looked at her.

“You okay?” she asked softly. “You look pale.”

I forced a smile and kissed her forehead. “I’m fine. Let’s go home.”

The drive back was quiet.

2/3

2:08 pm

Chapter 99

MA

Elena kept looking at the ultrasound photos, tracing her finger over the tiny outline. I kept my eyes on the road, but my mind was a thousand miles away.

One in fifteen.

The phrase played on repeat in my head.

What would it mean if the test came back positive?

I’d built my life on control. On making the right decisions. On cutting losses when necessary.

This was just another decision. Wasn’t it?

But even as I thought it, I felt sick. ‘This is my and Elena’s child. Our child. But fuck, what if the baby has some defect? Kids can be cruel as hell. The bullying, the stares, the whispers… And the challenges they’d face, every single day harder than it should be. Jesus Christ, am I a monster for even asking this? Should I… should we really bring this child into a world that might tear them apart?’

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