Please Come Back, My Love Chapter 44

Elena: POV

Evelyn shot me a look that said get out. The alcove door clicked shut, leaving me alone in the hallway.

I pressed my back against the wall, my hands trembling as I tried to steady my breathing.

*He defended me.*

The thought kept circling in my head like a broken record. Julian had actually stood up to his mother. For me.

But I'd heard enough of their muffled conversation through the door to know the truth.

*"I don't love her."*

His voice had been clear. Firm. Like he was stating a fact as simple as the weather.

*Of course he doesn't. You already knew that.*

I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly cold despite the warm restaurant air.

Five minutes passed. Then ten.

Finally, the door opened and Julian emerged, his expression unreadable. His parents followed, Evelyn's face tight with displeasure, David looking uncomfortable.

"Elena." Julian's hand found the small of my back. "We're leaving."

I didn't argue. Didn't look at Evelyn or David or Victoria, who'd appeared in the doorway behind them.

I just let Julian guide me through the restaurant, past the staring waiters, out into the parking lot.

---

The Bentley gleamed under the streetlights.

Julian opened the passenger door. "Get in."

I slid into the leather seat, my hands trembling. He closed the door and walked around to the driver's side.

The engine purred to life. We pulled out in silence.

I stared out the window, watching the city lights blur past, my mind replaying his words.

*I don't love her.*

*I don't love her.*

*I don't love her.*

"Julian—"

"Don't." His voice was tight. "Just... don't. Not right now."

The silence stretched between us like a rubber band pulled too tight.

Finally, I couldn't take it anymore.

"**You can end the contract early.**"

The words tumbled out before I could stop them. "I mean it. You don't have to... your parents are right. Five million dollars is more than generous. And you'd be free to—"

"Free to what?" He didn't look at me. "Free to marry Victoria? That's what you think I want?"

*Isn't it?*

"You love her." My voice came out smaller than I intended. "You've always loved her. Your parents love her. She's perfect for you—beautiful, sophisticated, from the right family. And I'm just... I'm the housekeeper's daughter who trapped you into a marriage you never wanted."

His hands tightened on the steering wheel. "Elena—"

"**It's okay.**" The lie tasted bitter. "I get it. The contract was supposed to last five years, but if you want out now, I won't fight you. I don't want to be the reason you're miserable."

The car swerved to the side of the road. Brakes screeched. We jerked to a stop.

Before I could process what was happening, Julian had unbuckled his seatbelt and grabbed my face between his hands.

"**You want to leave me?**" His eyes were wild, searching mine. "Is that what this is? You want out?"

"I—no, I just thought—"

"**Bullshit.**" His grip tightened. "You're not offering me an out. You're asking for one. You want to leave."

"That's not—"

"**Is it him?**" His voice dropped to something dangerous. "That professor who admired you? Or my uncle? Is that why you want to end this?"

"What? No! Julian, I barely—"

"**Then why?**" He leaned closer, his breath hot against my face. "Why are you so eager to walk away?"

My throat closed up. *Because you don't love me. Because I heard you say it. Because I'm carrying your baby and you'll never want it. Because every time you choose Victoria, it kills me a little more.*

"Because you don't love me," I whispered. "And I'm tired of pretending that's okay."

Something flickered across his face. Pain? Anger? Guilt?

Then his mouth crashed down on mine.

It wasn't gentle. It wasn't sweet. It was furious and desperate and hungry—like he was trying to prove something.

His tongue pushed past my lips, claiming, demanding. I gasped against him, my hands flying up to grip his shirt, torn between pushing him away and pulling him closer.

He bit my lower lip—not hard enough to hurt, but enough to make me whimper—and then pulled back just far enough to speak.

"You think I'd let you go that easily?" His voice was rough, raw. "You think I'd just... what? Sign some papers and watch you walk out of my life?"

"You don't want me—"

"**I don't know what the fuck I want.**" He rested his forehead against mine, his eyes closed. "But I know I'm not ready to lose you. Not yet."

*Not yet.*

*Not. Yet.*

The words should've hurt. They should've cut me open.

Instead, they felt like... hope?

*God, I'm so stupid.*

His thumb brushed across my cheek, catching a tear I hadn't realized had fallen.

"Grandfather adores you." He pulled back slightly. "He told me once that you remind him of my grandmother. Strong. Kind. Brave."

My chest tightened. "Julian—"

"**It's going to be okay.**" He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. "I promise. Just... give me time. Please."

*Time for what? Time to figure out if you love me? Time to let Victoria down easy? Time to find a way to love the baby I'm carrying?*

But I didn't say any of that. I just nodded, because I was weak. Because a part of me—the stupid, hopeful, desperate part—still believed he might choose me someday.

He started the car again. Pulled back onto the road. His hand found mine in the darkness, his fingers lacing through mine.

And I sat there, staring out the window at the city lights, feeling his thumb trace circles on my palm.

"I don't understand," I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Understand what?"

"**You don't love me.**" I turned to look at him, at his perfect profile illuminated by the dashboard lights. "I heard you. In that room. You told your parents you don't love me. So why? Why won't you let me go? Why keep me locked in this contract when we both know you'd rather be with her?"

His jaw clenched. For a long moment, he said nothing.

Then he pulled my head against his shoulder. "Does love even matter that much? All I know is I can't be without you anymore."

*That's not love. That's just... possession.*