To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 112

Rose's face drained of color.

"Dad, that's not what I meant."

Elara gently patted her grandfather's hand. "Aunt Rose means well, please don't get upset. Your health comes first. I'll handle things at home with care."

Her grandfather stared up at the ceiling and let out a weary sigh. "They still haven't found Ryan Linden's body. If only he were alive…"

If he were, Elara wouldn't have to shoulder so much alone. She wouldn't have crossed paths with someone like Brian, either.

There was half a bottle of her grandfather's medication left. Elara asked Rose to keep an eye on him and stepped outside for some air.

She bought herself a cup of coffee from the vending machine in the hall. As she waited, her phone rang. Summer was calling.

"Elara, I think someone's set us up."

"Slow down. Tell me what happened."

"This morning I got several calls. Clients we've always worked well with—they said after this contract, they're done using our patents. And a new client who was supposed to sign today? They just backed out… Elara, if we don't have any income, what's going to happen to Ignition Dynamics?"

Elara stayed calm. "Don't panic. First, find out why the clients changed their minds. If it's on us, we'll fix it. If not, we'll figure out our next move."

After reassuring Summer, Elara's mind drifted back to the company's troubles.

Her coffee was ready; she grabbed it, distracted, and turned—only to walk straight into a man behind her.

The coffee splashed all over him.

"I'm so sorry—oh my god, I'm sorry!"

She scrambled for tissues and looked up, only to meet a pair of deep, dark eyes. Her breath caught in her throat.

She wasn't dreaming. But she could hardly believe what she was seeing.

"Ri—Ryan Linden?"

He was older, more composed than he'd been four years ago. His hair was different, his clothes more refined, but Elara was sure she hadn't mistaken him.

The man only looked surprised for a second. Then he said, "Miss, you may have mistaken me for someone else, but you can't deny you just ruined my suit."

He isn't Ryan Linden?

Elara collected herself quickly. "I'm sorry. You just look so much like him."

"Are you a patient here, or family?" His voice was flat, almost detached.

That afternoon, she checked her watch and headed to Jade House as planned.

But she was stopped at the entrance—membership only.

Jade House was the most exclusive tearoom in Kingston City. After hearing the astronomical membership fee, Elara called Summer for help.

A short while later, a secretary in a sharp skirt suit appeared.

"Mrs. Vincent?"

Elara hesitated, then nodded.

"Please, come with me."

With the secretary leading the way, no one tried to stop her again.

At the door of a private room, the secretary opened it.

A man sat inside, back to the door, in a bamboo chair. The pale blue shirt he wore cast a lonely, almost isolated silhouette.

For a moment, Elara could only stand and stare.