To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 11

"Where did you get the hot water?" Brian asked, his tone clipped with irritation.

"Mrs. Archer went to the kitchen and brought it for me to mix my meal supplement," Elara replied.

Brian checked her hands for burns. Seeing she was unharmed, he finally let out a breath and sat down on the edge of the bed, handing over a box wrapped in elegant packaging.

"Peach shortbread from Golden Harvest Bakery. Fresh out of the oven—just an hour ago."

Nanette's eyes widened in surprise.

Wasn't Brian supposed to be upset on her behalf?

Elara didn't take the box. "I just got a verbal lashing for no reason. I'm full on anger, no appetite left."

Nanette hurried to explain, "About Lina—"

"Her allowance was cut off by her grandmother," Brian said flatly, setting the pastries on the nightstand. His face was unreadable, his voice cool.

"From now on, your daughter's living expenses come out of my personal account. You blamed my wife without cause—should I have someone show you the door, or do it myself?"

Nanette was speechless.

"Go on. If you don't, I'll have Mrs. Archer fetch a broom and sweep you out."

And with that, Mrs. Archer quietly escorted Nanette from the room.

The hospital room was suddenly quiet, just the two of them left.

"She's always unreasonable. There's no need to let someone like that get to you," Brian said, picking up a piece of peach shortbread and trying to feed it to Elara.

She turned her face away, refusing.

Just then, his phone rang.

Lina. Again.

"She's got you under surveillance, huh? Every time you come near me, she calls—just to remind you to stay loyal?" Elara's voice was edged with sarcasm.

Brian didn't answer right away.

"Don't get any wild ideas. Your husband's been faithful," he said.

Elara's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Then hand me your phone."

Brian hesitated, unsure what she was up to, but handed it over anyway.

Elara calmly hung up, then blocked all of Lina's contacts, methodically placing each on the blacklist.

Brian watched her go through the motions, not saying a word.

An international call.

He answered.

"Mr. Vincent, about fifteen minutes ago, Miss Vincent injected air into her IV while the nurse wasn't looking. Dr. Calloway is trying to save her."

Fifteen minutes ago—right when Elara had blocked Lina's number.

Brian shot to his feet.

"You're leaving now?" Elara asked quietly, her gaze lingering on him, as if reminding him of her earlier words.

He hesitated, eyes darkening, wrestling with a decision. "Charles is there with her. She'll be okay."

Elara felt a wave of relief, though she wasn't sure why. Maybe it was four years of love, and a stubborn unwillingness to let go.

But Nanette wasn't done. She clung to Brian's arm, sobbing harder.

"After I left earlier, Lina called me. She said even you don't care about her anymore. She feels so tired, so alone. Brian, her dependence on you is because of her mental health. Even the world's best doctors can't help her like you can. Please, just go see her."

Brian's face was grave. After weighing the options, he spoke in a low, resolute voice. "Don't worry. I'll make sure she survives."

Nanette wanted to say more, but Brian signaled Mrs. Archer to escort her out again.