Please Come Back, My Love Chapter 63

Elena: POV

My stomach clenched. "What did he say?"

"That he wants to try. To make this work. To be a real husband and father." She paused, her eyes searching mine. "Is that what you want too?"

I looked down at our joined hands, noticing how thin her fingers had become. "I don't know, Mom. Part of me thinks I'm being stupid. That nothing's going to change. That he's just saying what I want to hear."

"And the other part?"

"The other part..." I swallowed hard. "The other part thinks maybe the baby deserves a chance to have both parents. That maybe I should try. One more time."

Josephine was quiet for a long moment. Then she cupped my face, her expression both fierce and sad.

"Listen to me," she said firmly, though her voice was slightly breathless. "Whatever you decide, I'll support you. If you want to try with Julian, I'll be here. If you want to leave him and raise this baby alone, I'll be here too."

Tears burned behind my eyes. "Thank you."

"But Elena..." Her grip tightened slightly, and I felt the tremor in her fingers. "If he hurts you again—if he breaks your heart one more time—you have to promise me you'll leave. For good. No more chances."

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

"Promise me," she insisted.

"I promise."

She pulled me close again, and I breathed in her familiar scent—lavender and clean cotton. But underneath it, there was something else. Something medicinal that made my chest tighten with worry.

"Mom," I said softly. "I'm going to try. Really try. To make this work. For the baby."

"I know you will, sweetheart." She stroked my hair with trembling fingers. "You've always been a fighter."

We stayed like that until I heard the bathroom door open. Julian emerged, dressed in fresh clothes—a crisp white shirt and dark slacks. His hair was still damp, slicked back from his face.

His eyes went immediately to Josephine, and I saw his expression shift from neutral to concerned in an instant, his gaze lingering on her pallor.

"Mrs. Vance," he said quietly. "I'm glad you're here. I wanted to talk to you."

Josephine stood, her spine straight despite the obvious effort. "Mr. Sterling."

"Josephine," he corrected, moving closer. "Please. After everything... call me Julian."

She crossed her arms. "Alright. Julian. What did you want to say?"

He glanced at me, then back at her. "I wanted to apologize. For how I've treated Elena. For not believing her. For being blind to what was right in front of me."

Josephine's expression didn't soften, though I saw her sway slightly. "An apology is a start. But words are cheap. What matters is what you do now."

"I know." He moved to stand beside the bed, his hand finding mine. "Which is why I want you to know—I'm not going to let Elena go. I'm going to take care of her. Both of them."

Josephine studied him for a long moment. Then she sighed, and it sounded like it came from somewhere deep and painful.

"I hope you mean that," she said quietly. "Because my daughter deserves better than broken promises."

"I mean it." Julian's grip on my hand tightened. "I swear."

Josephine nodded slowly, one hand pressing subtly against her side. "I've made a decision. I'm leaving the estate. Resigning as head housekeeper. Moving out."

My heart stopped. "What?"

"Mom, no—" I started, but she held up a trembling hand.

"I'm getting older, Elena. And honestly? I'm tired. Tired of the politics, the drama, the constant juggling." She looked at Julian. "No offense."

"None taken," he said, though his jaw was tight.

"I want to retire," Josephine continued. "Somewhere quiet. Somewhere I don't have to watch my daughter struggle with a family that doesn't fully accept her."

"Mom, you don't have to leave because of me—"

"I'm not leaving because of you, sweetheart." She cupped my face gently, and I felt how cold her palm was. "I'm leaving for me. I've given fifty years to that estate. It's time to do something for myself."

Tears streamed down my face. "Where will you go?"

"I'm thinking Florida. Maybe a little house near the beach." She smiled, but it was sad. "And you can visit. Bring my grandbaby."

"Really?" I whispered. "You really want to leave?"

"I do." Her voice was firm despite its breathlessness. "Arthur will understand. He always has."

Julian stepped forward, his expression troubled. "Josephine, you don't have to do this. The estate is your home. And..." He hesitated. "Are you feeling alright? You look—"

"I'm fine," she cut him off quickly. "Just tired from tonight's events."

But I could see Julian didn't believe her any more than I did.

"You don't have to leave," he said more gently. "The estate is your home. It's always been your home."

She looked at him, and something in her expression softened slightly. "That's kind of you to say, Julian. But it's not really my home. It never was. I was just... borrowing space in someone else's world."

"That's not true—"

"It is." She swayed slightly before steadying herself. "And that's okay. I've made peace with it. But Elena..." She looked back at me. "I don't want her to live her whole life feeling like she's borrowing space in your world too."

The words hung heavy in the air.

Julian's jaw clenched. "Elena is my wife. My home is her home."

"Is it?" Josephine's voice was quiet but cutting. "Because from where I'm standing, you've spent three years making her feel like she doesn't belong."

"I'm going to change that."

"I hope so." Josephine moved toward the door, one hand braced against the wall. Then she paused. "Because if you don't—if you hurt my daughter again—I'll fight for her. I don't care if I'm just a housekeeper. I'll make sure you regret it."

Julian's expression remained steady. "I won't give you a reason to."

Josephine studied him for another long moment. Then she sighed.

"Take care of her, Julian," she said softly. "Really take care of her. Not just physically, but emotionally. Stop running to other women. Stop making her feel like she's not enough." She paused, gripping the doorframe tighter. "My daughter has loved you for sixteen years. Don't waste that."

Then she was gone, the door clicking shut behind her.

Silence filled the room. Julian stood frozen, staring at where Josephine had been.

"Julian?" I said quietly.

He turned to me. "Is your mother... has she been sick?"

"I don't know," I whispered, fear making my voice shake. "But something's wrong. I can see it."

Julian's jaw clenched. "I'll talk to her tomorrow. After you're discharged. I'll convince her to stay. And I'll make sure she sees a doctor."

"Don't." My voice was firm despite my worry. "If she wants to leave, let her. She's earned the right to live her own life. But..." I paused, tears filling my eyes. "Make sure she's okay. Please. Whatever's wrong with her... make sure she gets help."

"I will." He moved back to the bed, sitting on the edge carefully. His hand found mine again. "I promise."

He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. "Starting now. Starting today. I'll take care of both of you."

I closed my eyes, feeling the warmth of his lips, the solid weight of his presence. But even as I let myself hope, my mind kept returning to my mother's pale face, her trembling hands, the way she'd looked so much older than her years.