To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 110

"Is there ever a single honest word from your mouth?" Elara's voice was icy and sharp.

"There is," Summer stepped up beside her. "My parents live entirely off their pensions."

Elara pressed her lips together, staring at her with an expression that plainly said: Go on, keep spinning your story.

Summer grew flustered. "Look, their pensions are generous—they don't need a dime from my grandfather's estate. My brother's just an average guy, sure, but he's pulling in six figures at least. Out of everyone, I'm the only one who's useless, living off the trust fund my granddad left behind. So when I say I come from a working-class family, I'm not exactly lying."

Elara didn't bother responding. She turned and started down the sidewalk.

Summer hurried after her. "So, are we good now? Did you forgive me?"

Elara replied coolly, "You never lied about your feelings, so there's nothing to forgive. But if Ignition Dynamics has any of Brian's shares, then I'm pulling out."

Summer snorted. "You think I want anything to do with him? I had finance mess up the company's account number on purpose. If he can't make the transfer by five this evening, the deal's off."

Elara paused mid-step, her tone unreadable. "You're smarter than you look."

Summer finally let out a sigh of relief. "Then why are you still pouting?"

"I'm thinking," Elara muttered.

"About what?"

A shadow crossed Elara's face. "Brian refuses to divorce me. The only option he's willing to accept is if he becomes a widower."

Summer drew a deep breath. "Well, being a widow isn't so bad. You could always… take him out yourself."

Elara opened the car door, nodding thoughtfully. "I suppose I'd better learn how to do that, then."

They both understood, though, that just surviving this was victory enough.

Elara had barely settled into the driver's seat when her phone rang.

It was the hospital.

Her grandfather's medication had arrived—she needed to bring him in for his injection.

Last night, she'd told everyone that the Vincents were using her grandfather's medication to control her, and with that, she'd shut down their leverage for good.

So far, it seemed to be working.

"Alright, I'll bring him in tomorrow."

…

Brian returned to the office.

The wound on his back burned so badly he broke out in a cold sweat, but he gritted his teeth and kept moving.

Lina understood—Brian didn't want anyone to see her. She nodded quietly.

Brian had just finished tending to his wound. As he buttoned up his shirt, he asked without looking up, "When did you have this done?"

Lina spoke softly. "The night I lost the baby. They used the fetal tissue for the test."

"So you planned ahead." Brian's voice was cold, almost detached.

Lina stepped closer, picking up his suit jacket as if to help him put it on, but he sidestepped her touch.

She dropped her gaze. "You gave me everything, and now you can take it all back. I just didn't want to end up discarded—left with nothing."

Brian turned away, his back to her.

"I promised to look after you, and I will. But I don't take kindly to threats."

Still holding his jacket, Lina dropped to her knees.

"It's been four years, Brian. You've treated me well, but it feels like I've been locked away in some gilded cage. I want to go home. I want to build a life for myself here, to forget what happened that night, and start over. Please—just give me a chance."

Brian turned his head, eyeing her. "What do you have to offer?"

Lina swallowed hard. "I'm willing to be your tool—your ally. And your wife… she's hiding something. She and Dr. Chamberlain have a secret."