Please Come Back, My Love Chapter 12

Elena: POV

I hesitated for only a second before nodding. "Okay. Thank you."

Ethan's smile widened, and he gestured toward a sleek silver Audi parked a few cars down. "Come on. It's freezing out here."

The car was warm and smelled faintly of leather and cologne—nothing like Julian's Bentley with its suffocating luxury. Ethan turned on the heat immediately, rubbing his hands together before starting the engine.

"So," he said as we pulled into traffic, "three years. That's a long time. What've you been up to?"

I settled into the passenger seat, trying to relax. "Working, mostly. Still designing. You?"

"Same. Still at Parsons, actually. Made full professor last year." He glanced at me, his expression warm. "I always knew you'd make it, Elena. You were the most talented student I ever mentored."

The compliment made my chest tighten. When was the last time someone had praised my work without any strings attached?

"Thanks," I managed. "That means a lot."

We drove in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the city lights blurring past the windows. Then Ethan cleared his throat.

"Elena," he said, his tone lighter, almost teasing. "I know this is probably terrible timing, but... do I still have a chance?"

My breath caught. I turned to look at him, and he was grinning—half joking, half serious.

"Ethan, I..." My voice trailed off.

"It's okay," he said quickly, reading my hesitation. "I'm mostly kidding. I just... I always wondered what would've happened if you'd said yes back then."

"I can't," I blurted out. My hands twisted in my lap. "I mean... things are complicated."

Ethan's smile faded. He glanced at me, then back at the road. "Complicated how?"

I looked away, staring out the window. "Just... complicated."

Silence stretched between us.

"Elena." His voice was softer now. "You talked about him constantly back at Parsons. You never said his name, but I could tell. The way your face lit up whenever you mentioned 'someone back home.' The way you'd check your phone like you were waiting for a message that never came."

My throat tightened.

"You married him, didn't you?"

My head snapped toward him. "How did you—"

Ethan's eyes dropped to my chest, and I followed his gaze.

Fuck.

The chain had slipped out from under my sweater—the thin silver chain I always wore, the one that held my wedding ring. I'd started wearing it on a necklace after Julian told me to take it off my finger, and now it hung there in plain view.

I quickly tucked it back under my sweater, my face burning.

"I... I didn't..." I stammered.

"You don't have to explain," Ethan said quietly. His hands tightened on the steering wheel. "You married him. The guy you were always hung up on."

I couldn't meet his eyes.

"Are you happy?" he asked.

The question hit me like a punch to the gut.

*Am I happy?*

If anyone else knew I'd married into the Sterling family, they'd probably think I should be grateful. A girl from the servants' quarters marrying a billionaire CEO? That's the fucking American dream, right?

Except it wasn't a dream. It was a nightmare dressed in expensive suits and cold kisses.

But I couldn't say that. Not to Ethan. Not to anyone.

"I'm..." The words stuck in my throat. I forced a smile that felt like it might crack my face. "I'm happy enough."

Ethan's jaw tightened.

Then his expression softened, and he reached over to squeeze my hand briefly before returning his grip to the wheel.

"You deserve to be more than 'happy enough,' Elena," he said quietly. "You deserve someone who worships the ground you walk on."

My throat burned with unshed tears. I looked away, staring out the window.

"Ethan—"

"I know, I know." He let out a dry laugh. "You're married. I get it. But if you ever need anything, you call me. Okay? You still have my number, right?"

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

"Good." His lips curved into a faint smile. "I'm here. Always."

---

When we reached my neighborhood, I told him to stop a block away from the mansion. The last thing I needed was Julian seeing me get out of another man's car.

Ethan pulled over. "This good?"

"Perfect. Thanks for the ride."

"Anytime."

I reached for the door handle, but Ethan was already getting out. He walked around to my door and opened it for me.

"You don't have to—"

"Come on, Elena. Let me be a gentleman for once." He grinned, extending his hand.

I took it, stepping onto the sidewalk. The cold night air hit me immediately.

"Hey, hold still for a second," Ethan said suddenly, leaning closer.

I froze. "What?"

"You've got something in your hair." He reached up, his fingers brushing near my temple.

My heart started pounding. He was too close—way too close.

"Ethan, I—" I stepped back quickly. "I'm good. Thanks."

For just a second, something dark flickered in his eyes. Then it was gone, replaced by that easy smile.

"Sure. No problem." He stepped back, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Take care of yourself, okay?"

"I will."

I watched as he got back into his car and drove away, the taillights disappearing into the night.

Only then did I start walking toward the mansion.

---

The building loomed ahead of me, all glass and steel and cold perfection.

I was still half a block away when I saw him.

Julian.

He stood in front of the main entrance, his tall frame unmistakable even in the dim light. He wasn't moving—just standing there, arms crossed, his face carved from stone.

My stomach dropped.

*Fuck.*

How long had he been standing there? Had he seen Ethan's car? Had he seen us together?

I forced myself to keep walking, my heels clicking against the pavement. As I got closer, I could see the tension in his shoulders, the tightness in his jaw.

He looked... dangerous.

"Julian," I started, my voice shaky. "I didn't think you'd be—"

I didn't get to finish.

Before I could even reach the door, he moved. His hand shot out, grabbing my wrist and yanking me forward. My back hit the wall beside the entrance, and then his mouth was on mine.

The kiss was brutal—possessive, punishing, meant to claim and consume. His tongue invaded my mouth, his hands gripping my waist hard enough to bruise.

I gasped against his lips, my hands pushing weakly at his chest, but he didn't stop. Didn't pull back. Just kissed me harder, deeper, until I couldn't breathe.

When he finally broke away, his forehead pressed against mine, his breathing ragged.

"Did you forget?" he growled, his voice low and lethal. "Did you fucking forget that you're a married woman?"

My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might explode.

"Julian—"

"You snuck out behind my back to meet another man." His gray eyes bored into mine, dark and furious. "And don't even think about lying to me. I saw you get out of his car. I saw him lean in close to you."

*Oh God.*

"It wasn't—"

"I saw him that close to you. Did he kiss you?"