Chapter 125 Promises and Pressure
Julian：POV
I knocked twice on the door to Room 512, then pushed it open without waiting for an answer.
Elena's head snapped up the second I walked in. The look on her face—fuck, it was like I'd kicked down the door with a gun instead of my good hand. Her entire body went rigid, those amber eyes going wide before narrowing into slits of pure suspicion.
Guilty. She looked guilty as hell.
"Julian." Her voice came out flat. Careful. "You should be resting."
"Should I?" I let the door swing shut behind me and took a few steps into the room. "I thought about how my wife came to visit his sick mother; I figured I should come visit too."
"Ex-wife," she corrected immediately.
I ignored that. Moved closer. She stood up fast—too fast—putting herself between me and Josephine's hospital bed like I was some kind of threat.
I closed the distance in two strides and slid my arm around her shoulders before she could retreat. She went stiff as a board, but she didn't fight me.
I leaned down, putting my mouth right against her ear.
"What are you so guilty about?" I murmured in a low voice only she could hear.
She tried to step back. I tightened my grip.
"Let go," she hissed.
"In a minute." I turned toward Josephine, keeping Elena locked against my side. "Josephine. I came to check on you. After all, you were the Sterling estate's housekeeper for decades—worked your ass off for my family. And you're the mother of my precious ex-wife."
I smiled. "My former mother-in-law."
Josephine's face went pale, but she held my gaze. That steel spine Elena inherited.
"Mr. Sterling." Her voice was respectful but firm. "I appreciate everything you've done—the medical transport, the surgery. Truly. But I think it's time you let my daughter go."
"Mom—" Elena started.
"She's given you more than enough chances," Josephine continued, and damn, she wasn't pulling punches. "Please. Just leave her alone."
The words hit harder than expected. I felt Elena tense against me, waiting to see what I'd do.
I released her shoulder and moved to Josephine's bedside. Pulled up the visitor's chair and sat down, leaning forward.
"Mom," I said quietly.
Josephine blinked. "Mr. Sterling—"
"Mom," I repeated. "I fucked up. I know that. I've spent the last month trying to figure out how to say this without sounding like every other asshole who destroys something precious and then wants it back."
Elena shifted behind me. I could feel her watching.
"I was wrong," I continued. The words felt like pulling glass from my throat. "About everything. About Victoria. About the marriage. About the baby."
Josephine's expression cracked slightly. "You can't just—"
"I'm not asking for instant forgiveness," I cut in. "I'm asking for a chance to make this right. To prove to Elena—and to you—that I've changed. That I want to change."
"Words are easy, Mr. Sterling."
"You're right. Words don't mean shit without action." I held her gaze. "So here's what I'm offering: the best medical care in the country. Round-the-clock support. Whatever you need."
"Safe from the people you brought into our lives?" Josephine's eyes were sharp.
Direct hit. My jaw tightened.
"Yes," I said simply. "From them. From anyone who might hurt either of you again. I failed before. I won't fail twice."
"My daughter gave you three years," Josephine said quietly. "Three years of chances. She loved you when you barely looked at her. She stayed quiet when you paraded another woman around. She lost your child because someone saw her as a threat."
Each word was a knife.
"She gave you everything," Josephine finished, "and you gave her nothing but pain. Why should I believe you'll be different now?"
I didn't have a good answer. So I went with the truth.
"Because I can't breathe without her." My voice came out rougher than intended. "Because the last month has been hell. Because I wake up reaching for her and she's not there. I missed her a lot."
I had to stop. Swallow hard. "She could be my one and only."
Silence filled the room.
Then Josephine spoke, her voice heavy with exhaustion. "Pretty speech. But speeches don't erase three years of cruelty."
"I know." I stood up, unable to sit still anymore. "Which is why I'm asking for time. Not forgiveness. Not trust. Just time to prove I mean what I say."
Josephine looked at Elena, who was still standing by the window, arms wrapped around herself.
"What do you want to do, sweetheart?" Josephine asked.
Elena closed her eyes. When she opened them, they were red but dry.
I walked back to her side. She tensed immediately, but I slid my arm around her shoulders anyway, pulling her close.
She tried to pull away. I held firm, leaning down so my mouth was against her ear.
"You know what you need to think about?" I murmured.
"What?" Sharp. Defensive.
My hand slid down from her shoulder. Down her back. Lower. I curved my palm over her ass, fingers spreading possessively, and felt her entire body go rigid.
"Think about your mother," I whispered. "She can't handle stress. Can't handle emotional upheaval. She's already had one bleed, Elena. Another could kill her."
I squeezed—not hard, but deliberate. Making my point.
"Julian—" Her voice was strangled.
"So here's what's going to happen." My thumb traced small circles through the fabric of her jeans. "You're going to give me a real chance this time. Stop running. Stop fighting. Stop pretending you don't still feel something when I touch you."
"You're—"
"Because if you take her back to Florida," I continued, my voice low and rough against her ear, "if you deny her the care that could save her life just because you hate me—you'll never forgive yourself."
My other hand came up to tilt her chin, forcing her to meet my eyes.
"Please," I said quietly. "Really give me another chance. I won't let you get hurt again. I swear it."
Her eyes were wild. Trapped. "Can you really do it?"
I said, brushing her bangs behind her ear, "Believe me； I won't let you get hurt again."