To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 10

The new housekeeper seemed a little shy. "Lorraine hurt her back, so Mrs. Vincent asked me to take over for her. You can just call me Mrs. Archer."

So, she's another one of the old manor's people.

No doubt the matriarch's eyes and ears. Elara nodded, not asking any further questions.

…

Brian slid into the car, face unreadable. Yves Caldwell scrambled to give his report.

"Mr. Vincent, Miss Vincent is awake. The first thing she did was try to call you, but you didn't answer, so she rang me instead…"

He watched his boss's expression in the rearview mirror and hesitated before continuing.

"Should I call her back for you? Maybe if you talked to her, she'd rest easier and focus on getting better."

Brian rubbed his forehead, silent for a moment. Suddenly, he said, "Tomorrow, go to the old town in Sunnydale and buy some shortbread. Make sure it's fresh out of the oven—my wife's picky, she won't touch it otherwise."

Yves paused, confused. Had his boss even heard what he just said?

"Yes, sir."

…

But the next day, as dusk settled, Elara was still waiting. Brian, who had promised to visit, never showed.

Instead, Nanette barged in. Even with her hair chopped short, she couldn't hide her shrewish temper—storming in, cursing, ready for a fight.

Mrs. Archer was out, leaving Elara alone to deal with her.

"You little tramp! Who gave you the right to cut off Lina's fifty grand a month? The house in Oldborough, the luxury car, the staff—everything costs money! How's she supposed to live without her allowance?"

It was the first Elara had heard of how generously the Vincents supported Lina.

The irony burned: the family paid her a hundred thousand a month to play the perfect wife for Brian—like some prized animal—expecting her to be grateful for it.

Slowly, Elara pushed herself up in bed, her voice icy. "Has she had to beg on the streets yet?"

The next instant, a steaming pitcher of water flew straight at Nanette.

Nanette shrieked as the hot water splashed her.

"What's going on?"

Brian appeared in the doorway, Yves Caldwell at his heels.

Nanette rushed over like she'd seen her savior.

"Brian, Elara cut off Lina's allowance! I came to talk it over, and she and this wretched servant threw boiling water at me!"

Hearing this, Brian strode to the bedside and grabbed Elara's hand.

Nanette smiled, certain now that everything Brian had said to the matriarch last night was just for show.

He still loved her daughter.