Please Come Back, My Love Chapter 113

Julian：POV

I stood outside Room 304 for a full minute, my hand hovering over the lock.

*What if they're already...?*

The thought made me want to put my fist through the wall. Through Ethan's face. Through my own fucking skull.

*What are you going to see when you open this door?*

I didn't know. That was the problem. I didn't know if I'd find them talking, or if I'd find them—

*Stop.*

I couldn't think about it. If I thought about it, I'd lose my mind.

I pressed the key card to the lock. The light flashed green.

I pushed the door open.

The first thing I heard was Ethan's voice.

"Elena, I need you to know something. I've wanted to tell you for years, but the timing was never right."

My blood turned to ice.

I stepped inside quietly, my eyes adjusting to the dim room. They were sitting on the edge of the bed—*together*—facing each other. Elena's back was to me. Ethan's hands were on her shoulders.

"I'm in love with you,"** Ethan said. His voice was soft. Earnest. The voice of a man who'd practiced this speech a hundred times. "I have been since Parsons. I know you're hurting right now. I know you're not ready. But I want you to know that I'm here. That I'm not going anywhere. That I'll wait as long as it takes."

Elena's shoulders were trembling.

*Fuck.*

Was she crying? Was she about to kiss him?

*Was she about to—*

"Get the fuck away from her."

The words came out before I could stop them. Low. Dangerous.

Ethan's head snapped up. Elena spun around, her eyes going wide.

"Julian—"** she started.

"I said get away from her."** I took a step forward, my hands clenched at my sides. "Now."

Ethan stood slowly, putting himself between me and Elena. **"You need to leave. This is our room."

*Our room.*

Something snapped inside me.

"Like hell it is." I moved forward, closing the distance. "Ethan. Get out."

"Excuse me?" Elena was on her feet now, her eyes blazing. "You don't get to—"

**"OUT."** My voice cracked like a whip. **"Now. We need to talk. Alone."**

**"No."** She crossed her arms over her chest, that stubborn tilt to her chin that I knew so fucking well. **"You broke into my room. You're the one who needs to leave."**

"I'm not going anywhere."

**"Neither am I."**

Ethan cleared his throat. **"Elena, maybe I should—"**

**"Stay,"** Elena said, not looking away from me. **"You don't have to leave."**

*Oh, fuck no.*

I moved before I could think. Grabbed Ethan by the collar and hauled him toward the door.

"Julian!"** Elena shouted. **"What the hell are you doing?"

"What I should have done a long time ago." I yanked the door open and shoved Ethan out into the hallway. He stumbled, catching himself against the opposite wall.

"You can't just—" Ethan started.

I slammed the door in his face and turned the deadbolt.

Immediately, pounding started from the other side.

*BANG BANG BANG*

"Elena!" Ethan's voice was muffled but frantic. "Elena, open the door!"

"Julian, you bastard, let her go!"

*BANG BANG BANG*

I turned around to face Elena. She was staring at me in shock, her face pale.

**"You just threw him out of his own room!"** she said, her voice high with disbelief.

I glanced at the dresser where a single key card lay on the polished wood.

"Looks like he forgot his key," I said with a shrug.

*BANG BANG BANG*

**"Elena! Are you okay in there?"** Ethan's voice was getting more desperate. **"Answer me!"**

Elena looked between me and the door, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

"I'm fine!" she called out, though her eyes never left mine. "Just... just go get security or something!"

"I'm not leaving you alone with him!"

*BANG BANG BANG*

"Go, Ethan!" Elena shouted. "I can handle this!"

There was a pause. Then more pounding.

"I'll be right back! Don't let him—just hold on!"

I heard his footsteps retreating down the hallway, probably running to find hotel security.

Silence.

Elena and I stared at each other across the hotel room. The air between us was electric, crackling with three years of rage and pain and unfinished business.

"You're completely insane," she whispered.

"Probably." I took a step toward her. "But now we can finish this conversation without interruption."

"There's nothing to finish!" She backed away from me. "We're done! We're divorced! You don't get to—"

"Don't I?" I kept moving toward her, backing her toward the wall. "Because from where I'm standing, it doesn't feel done."

"That's your problem, not mine."

"Is it?" I was close enough now to see the pulse racing at the base of her throat. "Your heart is beating pretty fast for someone who's moved on."

She pressed herself against the wall, trapped.

"Let me go," she said. But her voice was weaker now.

"No." I braced my hands on either side of her head, caging her in. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry I didn't protect our baby. I'm sorry I made you feel like you weren't enough. I'm sorry I chose Victoria over you again and again."

She went very still.

"But I'm not sorry for this." I leaned in closer, my lips brushing her forehead. "I'm not sorry for wanting you. For needing you. For being unable to let you go."

"Julian—"

"Especially when I think about another man touching you." My voice dropped, going rough. "I can't stand it. I can't breathe. I can't think. All I can see is his hands on you. His lips on you. Him in a bed with you."

I pressed my face into her neck, breathing in the scent of her shampoo.

"I still can't let you go,"** I whispered against her skin. "Even knowing everything I know. Even knowing you hate me. I can't do it."

Her hands came up, pushing against my chest, but I didn't budge an inch.

Not yet.

From the hallway came the sound of rapid footsteps and voices—Ethan had found security.

*BANG BANG BANG*

Elena's eyes darted toward the door, then back to me.

"They're going to arrest you," she breathed.

"I don't care." I cupped her face in my hands. "Tell me you don't feel anything. Tell me you can't stand the thought of him touching you the way I used to touch you."

"Stop." Her voice broke on the word.

"I can't." I pressed my forehead against hers, then I captured her lips. "I can't stop, Elena. I can't let you go."