To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 115

Fresh air rushed into the car.

Just as Chuck had said, Elara snapped awake.

Strength returning to her limbs, she shoved him away without hesitation.

Chuck fidgeted awkwardly with his jacket. "Miss Jules, we really shouldn't be here. It's too easy to get caught."

Elara's gaze lingered on him, her expression settling into a cold, almost desolate clarity.

"You make me sick."

Shame coloring his cheeks, Chuck couldn't meet her eyes.

A soft, mocking chuckle sounded as Brian opened the back door and yanked Elara out.

"So, Mrs. Vincent, you really hate me that much? It's not enough to humiliate me in public—you have to make me the laughingstock, too?"

His grip on her wrist was painful.

Elara pried at his fingers. "Mutual betrayal is the only equality left in this marriage, Brian. Or are you just scared people will find out I'd rather spend the night with a young doctor than ever touch you again?"

Brian narrowed his eyes, sizing up the sharp-tongued woman before him.

Where had the compliant, gentle Elara of their four-year marriage gone?

"So this is you now—completely fearless."

He let go with a violent jerk.

Elara staggered, only to be caught fast by one of his bodyguards.

Brian's voice was cold as ice. "Take her away."

"Let me go! Somebody help!" Elara screamed.

Four years together, and she knew the truth about Brian: a gentleman in public, a monster behind closed doors.

If he took her away this time, she might not make it out alive.

Her cries were loud enough to draw attention from people nearby.

The bodyguard hesitated, glancing at Brian.

Brian shot him a look, and the man hit Elara sharply on the neck, knocking her out.

Brian turned back to the car, eyes fixed on Chuck.

Chuck swallowed hard. "I have a video. If you come after me, I'll leak footage of your wife. You'll be finished."

Brian raised an eyebrow. "Are you threatening me?"

"I think I like you better with some fire, Elara. What should I do about that?"

"Brian," she snapped, unable to take his slow torture, "I will divorce you even if it kills me. What do you want—just say it."

"What's the rush?"

He shoved her to the floor, then stood and strolled to his desk, tossing a folder at her feet.

"Sign this. We'll stay married for three more years, then part ways amicably."

Three more years?

Elara picked up the document, her eyes catching the title: *Vincent & Co. Joint Statement.*

The contents, in short:

1. Deny all "scandalous affair" rumors, state the photos are AI-generated fakes, and dismiss the whole thing as a petty family squabble.

2. Emphasize the Vincents' strong marriage; rumors of infidelity are nothing but a jealous wife's fabrication after her husband showed favoritism to his stepsister.

3. Announce they'll attend an upcoming charity gala together to quash divorce rumors.

Elara laughed and stood up on her own.

"So, Mr. Vincent, you want me to play house for the cameras—for three whole years?"