Please Come Back, My Love Chapter 46

Elena: POV

"It's... challenging," I said carefully. "But rewarding."

"I'm sure it is." Her eyes swept over me, assessing. "Julian mentioned you're quite talented. A Parsons graduate, yes?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"How lovely." She paused. "Though I imagine it must be difficult, working in the same building as your husband. Especially when no one knows you're married."

There it was. The first jab.

"We manage," I said, keeping my voice neutral.

"Do you?" Evelyn's smile didn't reach her eyes. "It seems like such a strange arrangement. All that sneaking around. All that pretending."

In the front seat, Victoria shifted slightly. I couldn't see her face, but I could feel her listening.

"It was Julian's decision," I said. "The hidden marriage. I would have been fine going public."

"Would you?" Evelyn's voice was soft, almost gentle. "Or would that have been... uncomfortable? For you?"

My jaw clenched. "I'm not sure what you mean."

"Well, darling—" She reached over, patting my hand in a way that felt more condescending than comforting. "You have to understand. Julian is a very public figure. A Sterling. The women he's been associated with in the past... they've all been from similar backgrounds. Similar circles."

*Here we go.*

"I'm not from those circles," I said flatly. "I know that."

"Of course you do." Evelyn's grip on my hand tightened slightly. "And I'm not saying that to be cruel. I'm saying it because I want you to understand something very important."

She leaned in closer, her voice dropping. "Some things—some positions in life—they're not meant to be crossed. Not because one is better than the other, but because the fit simply isn't right."

My throat felt tight. "You're saying I don't fit."

"I'm saying—" Evelyn's smile turned pitying. "—that from the beginning, this wasn't yours to take. Some things belong to certain people. And Julian... well, he's always belonged to someone else, hasn't he?"

In the front seat, Victoria's shoulders relaxed. Like she'd been waiting for this moment.

"My son doesn't let go easily," Evelyn continued. "He's... stubborn. Like a child with a favorite toy. He'll cling to it, insist it's the most important thing in the world. Until one day, it breaks. And then..." She shrugged delicately. "Then he simply moves on."

The words hit me like physical blows. *A toy. She thinks I'm just a toy to him.*

"Mrs. Sterling—" I started, but she cut me off.

"Please, darling. Let me finish." Her grip on my hand was almost painful now. "I'm not trying to be unkind. I'm trying to help you see reality. Julian married you because his grandfather forced him to. He's kept you hidden because he's ashamed. And the moment that five-year contract is up—the moment he's free—he's going to discard you."

She paused, letting that sink in. "So the question is: do you want to spend the next two years clinging to something that was never really yours? Or would you prefer to walk away now, with some dignity intact?"

I stared at her. At this elegant, perfectly coiffed woman who'd just systematically destroyed every fragile hope I'd been carrying.

"You came here to apologize," I said quietly. "That's what you told Julian."

"And I am apologizing." Evelyn's voice was earnest. "I apologize for being so harsh at the restaurant. For trying to pay you off. That was... crude." She paused. "But my concern—my desire to see you make the right choice—that hasn't changed."

The car pulled to a stop outside Bergdorf Goodman. The driver came around to open the door.

Evelyn squeezed my hand one last time before releasing it. "Think about what I've said, darling. Really think about it."

Then she was sliding out of the car, already smiling and waving at someone on the street.

Victoria turned in her seat, her blue eyes meeting mine for just a second. And in that second, I saw pure, undiluted victory.

Then she was out too, linking arms with Evelyn, both of them laughing about something as they headed toward the store entrance.

I sat there, frozen, my hand pressed against my stomach where our baby was growing.

*A toy. That's all I am to him. All I'll ever be.*

The driver cleared his throat. "Miss? Are you coming?"

I looked at him. Then at Evelyn and Victoria, already disappearing into Bergdorf's.

I should have left. Should have called a car and gone home and told Julian the whole thing was a mistake.

But I didn't. I got out. Followed them inside.

Because I was a fool. And fools never knew when to quit.

---

Bergdorf Goodman smelled like money and exclusivity—that particular scent of expensive perfume, leather goods, and champagne that only the ultra-wealthy could afford to breathe.

Evelyn and Victoria were already on the escalator to the second floor when I caught up to them. They were laughing about something, heads bent together like old friends.

I followed them up, my stomach churning. The second floor was evening wear—racks of designer gowns in every color, saleswomen hovering like well-dressed sharks.

"Ah, there you are!" Evelyn turned as I approached, her smile bright. "We were just telling this lovely associate that we're looking for something special. For the birthday party next week."

The saleswoman—a thin, severe-looking woman in all black—gave me a once-over that made me feel like I was being priced.

"Of course, Mrs. Sterling." Her voice was professionally pleasant. "What size is the young lady?"

"She's a four," Evelyn answered before I could open my mouth. "Though we'll want something with a forgiving cut. Nothing too tight."