To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 116

Brian lifted his chin, pride flashing in his eyes. "This isn't some act, Elara. It's penance. You set off the grenade in public—now you're going to dismantle it yourself."

Elara smiled, and with the same calm detachment she'd shown when she tore up their divorce papers all those months ago, she ripped the statement in half.

"Sorry, Brian. From now on, I refuse to be your scapegoat or your shield."

Shreds of paper fluttered to the floor. In a heartbeat, Brian's hand shot out, grabbing her by the collar and slamming her back against the wall. His breath was hot, his eyes dangerously close.

"You think you're just my plaything?"

Elara turned her face away, resisting his nearness. "What am I, Mr. Vincent? Haven't you made it clear enough?"

Brian's anger twisted into a cold, mocking smile. "Then let me show you what a plaything really is."

With that, he tore at her collar, his movements rough and unyielding.

Elara fought back fiercely, kicking and struggling, but the world spun and her body betrayed her—everything went black.

When she came to, she was no longer in the hallway. She was lying in the bedroom, a strip of gauze pressed to her forehead.

Someone had treated her wound while she was unconscious. Even more alarming, she was now dressed in clean pajamas.

The door creaked open. Brian entered, his figure tense with exhaustion. He barely reached the edge of the bed before Elara scrambled out from the other side, her eyes wild.

"What did you do to me?" she demanded.

Brian pressed his fingers to his forehead, voice icy. "We're married, Elara. Whatever I do with you is my right."

A wave of nausea rolled through her. "Did you use protection?"

He scowled. "We're trying for a baby. If you're pregnant, you should be happy."

Elara's temper snapped. "I will never have your child. Even if I am, I'll get rid of it."

Brian's jaw clenched, veins bulging at his temple. "Do you even realize the situation you're in?"

"I don't care," Elara shot back. "All I know is I feel filthy. When I'm done showering, I want to see birth control pills on that table."

She stormed into the bathroom and slammed the door.

Brian abandoned any thought of rest. He left the room, the door rattling in his wake.

When Elara emerged, clean but cold, there were no pills waiting for her.

"You really hate the idea of having my child that much?"

"Or is there another man you're saving yourself for?"

His words cut, but Elara only gave him a smile—cold, razor-thin. "You're pitiful."

Those words stung more than any insult.

Brian let go of her, face unreadable. "I never touched you. There's no need for pills."

Elara's eyes widened in shock.

But his next words sent her heart plummeting.

"Sign the statement. Stay married to me for three more years, and I'll let you go. Otherwise, keep starving yourself. I told you before—I can accept the worst-case scenario being a widow."

Those were her options: die, or bend to his will.

But Elara had never been the type to surrender to hopelessness.

She would find her own way out.