To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 109

At four o'clock, the Hourglass Café was closed to the public. Even the waitstaff had been sent outside.

Elara pushed open the door. Before she could take another step, Brian caught her by the waist and pressed her down against the table.

She was bent forward, he was standing behind her—humiliating, degrading, utterly exposed.

Her breath hitched, but within moments, she steadied herself, her expression icy.

"Four years of marriage, Mr. Vincent, and I never knew you had such… unconventional tastes."

Brian's voice was cool, almost amused. "The more ambitious a man is, the more unusual his appetites. You never experienced it before because I cared about you. I wanted to spare you."

Elara tried to twist away, but his grip was unyielding. She couldn't move at all.

So he was really going through with this?

"Go ahead, then. Let me see what you're really like. It's not as if you lack the means to hush up last night's scandal. Covering up a little café drama is nothing for you."

A heavy silence fell between them.

Suddenly, Brian released her.

"Seems Mrs. Vincent has always kept her guard up with me."

Elara exhaled shakily and straightened her clothes. "I learned from the best, didn't I? It's called self-preservation—necessary when married to a man who could devour me whole, bones and all."

Brian snorted and dropped into a chair at the table, where a coffee cup sat cooling.

Only then did Elara notice the stack of divorce papers on the table. Her eyes lit up and she moved towards them.

Brian took a sip of coffee, then picked up the papers.

"Elara, did you really think that making a public spectacle—accusing me of something so vile, turning me and the Vincent family into a laughingstock—would get you what you wanted? That a few pieces of paper would be your reward?"

With a slow, deliberate motion, he tore the signed divorce agreement in half, shredding her hope.

"You've always overestimated my patience."

Elara's face tightened. "This marriage is over. Why drag it out? You could divorce me, marry someone who actually suits you. What's the point of keeping me around?"

He leaned back, fingers drumming on the table. "You've piqued my interest. Now, more than ever, I want to control you."

Her eyes flashed cold. "Fine, don't divorce me. But just so you know, I have proof of every night you spent with Lina in Oslo, every dollar you lavished on her. See you in court, Mr. Vincent."

Brian walked over, brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, but didn't offer support.

"In my world, Elara, there's no such thing as divorce—only widowhood. And from this moment on, Mrs. Vincent, your good days are over."

With that, he strode out, leaving her clinging to the edge of the table just to keep herself upright.

When she finally stepped out of the café, Brian's Maybach was already gone. The staff were trickling back inside, resuming their routines as if nothing had happened.

Elara felt impossibly heavy, every step a struggle.

Summer's car was parked by the curb. She jumped out and hurried over.

"Elara, I was worried about you. How did it go?"

Elara glanced at her, eyes devoid of warmth.

"He planted you in my life as a pawn, didn't he? Just in case things ever got this far. You knew all along, didn't you?"

Summer's face crumpled with guilt. Brian must have already told Elara everything. Still, she forced herself to meet her friend's gaze.

"I never meant to keep anything from you. When I started at university, I pretended to be from an ordinary family, so people wouldn't think I was just another rich kid. I never expected to become such close friends with you."