To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 13

Elara grabbed her phone.

"I'm heading out for a bit. No need to tell anyone—I'll be back soon."

"But—" Mrs. Archer hesitated, her concern evident. "Just… be careful."

Before she could finish, Elara had already disappeared through the hospital room door.

She made her way to the bakery where the accident had happened.

The police had issued their report yesterday, and Yves Caldwell was now handling negotiations with the owner on her behalf for compensation.

Inside, the shop looked much as it had in the aftermath of the explosion—scattered debris, scorch marks, and the unmistakable scent of burnt sugar lingering in the air.

The owner, a young man, was sweeping up the mess.

"We're closed for good," he said, not even looking up. "If you're here to get a refund for your membership, come back tomorrow."

"I just wanted to take a look around," Elara replied.

He finally glanced at her, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

He hadn't been in the bakery when the explosion happened, so he didn't recognize her.

Elara pointed to a dark stain on the floor. "That's where I was lying when it happened."

Shock flashed across his face. He nodded quickly, stepping aside. "Feel free to look around, then."

The place had only been open for three months, but the pastries were good enough that Elara had bought a membership. She'd come by every other day to pick up something sweet.

That afternoon, with a single deafening blast, her world had nearly ended.

In the split second before she lost consciousness, she'd tried to call Brian. He never answered.

Since then, she'd avoided thinking about the accident. But now, standing on the very spot where it happened, she forced herself to face it. She needed to find evidence that this wasn't just a freak accident.

Piecing together the timeline, a chill crept up her spine.

To most people, it was just another bit of trash.

But Elara had been a top materials science student before she married Brian and devoted herself to running their home. She'd kept up with the latest research on next-gen batteries.

She recognized it instantly: a fragment of a high-energy battery, the kind abandoned in laboratory trials because of its instability and explosive potential.

If she could analyze its composition, she could trace its origin—and maybe even the person who'd planted it.

The answer to who wanted her dead could be within reach.

She stood, tucking the fragment safely into her bag.

"I was your customer, and you couldn't even guarantee my safety. You hired the wrong person, and now you want me to pity you and let you off the hook for compensation? Do you really think I deserved what happened to me?"

The young man fell silent, unable to meet her gaze.

Without another word, Elara walked out of the shop, the evidence clutched tightly in her hand.