To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 127

Elara was almost certain now—he had to be Ryan Linden.

Just because she'd said, "I have nowhere else to turn," he hadn't hesitated for a second before agreeing to meet her.

That kind of instinctual, almost reckless urge to drop everything and run to someone's aid—she knew it all too well.

Even when she'd suggested a meeting spot that made no sense at all, he hadn't questioned it.

Once she hung up, Summer turned to her. "Are you looking for proof he really is Ryan Linden?"

Elara nodded.

Summer said, "A family like the Lawrences would never mistake their own blood. Ryan has to be Victor's son. Still, it's not a bad thing if you can get in with them. They've got enough backing—if it weren't for all this infighting lately, Brian might not have beaten them."

Elara had never told Summer anything about the Lindens. For her own safety, the less Summer knew, the better.

The next day, Elara drove alone to Aurelia Springs.

She checked into her room, and not long after, Ryan called.

She followed the directions he'd given her.

This VIP suite area was a world apart—each room came with its own private hot spring, the decor was extravagant, and the rates were several times what she'd paid for her standard room.

She found the room number, entered the code, and the door opened.

At the far end of the living room, steam curled up from the hot spring. To her surprise, Ryan was already in the water.

She'd thought she'd have to work a little harder to catch him in swim trunks.

Ryan heard footsteps nearby and didn't move. He opened his eyes slowly, glancing back to find her standing in everyday clothes, staring at his back as if lost in thought.

"Mrs. Vincent, meeting at a hot springs hotel—weren't you planning on actually using the hot spring?"

There was a sly undertone to his words, the kind of thing she was sure the Ryan Linden from four years ago would never say.

"Please, call me Miss Jules. Sorry, I didn't expect you to be here first."

He turned around. His arms weren't especially muscular, but his skin was flawless; beads of water traced the lines of his body and gleamed in the steamy air.

Elara had seen Ryan Linden shirtless before—years ago, when he'd worked odd jobs at the train station to help his family.

It was the height of summer, sweat pouring down his bare torso. She'd handed him a towel, and he'd bashfully turned away to dry off, asking how she'd known he was working there at all.

Now, though, Ryan looked straight at her, utterly unashamed, and even invited her to join him.

"Are you really planning to have this conversation with me dressed like that?" Ryan asked, eyebrow raised.

The secretary burst in, breathless.

"Mr. Lawrence, Ryan hasn't come to the office today."

Jason didn't respond, just looked at her in silence.

Clicking across the floor in her heels, the secretary leaned down and murmured in his ear, "About half an hour ago, he and Miss Jules entered Aurelia Springs together."

Jason's eyes darkened, his gaze turning cold. "They've only met twice, and they're already at the hot springs together?"

The secretary hesitated, thoughtful. "I'm worried Ryan might be trying to win Miss Jules over—use her against Brian. If he pulls it off, his standing with Chairman Lawrence will change overnight."

Jason's stare grew even more forbidding. "Ryan messing around with a married woman? That's not going to fly. I won't let him disgrace the Lawrence family name. Find someone to tip Brian off—but make sure he never traces it back to me."

—

Aurelia Springs.

Elara's left cheek slammed against the back of the door—pain shot through her jaw.

She spun around, furious, glaring at the man who'd pinned her.

"Vice President Lawrence, would you care to explain yourself?"