To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 130

Without waiting for Ryan to react, Brian grabbed Elara by the waist, squeezing hard, and dragged her away.

The room he'd set up for her was in a completely different wing.

Elara felt a chill of dread—she'd never shaken off the feeling of being held captive by him.

"Brian, if you lock me up again, I'll make sure your reputation is ruined."

He ignored her struggles, opened the door, and shoved her inside with a stony face.

The push was rough. Elara staggered forward, landing hard on her knees.

When she looked up, her gaze met the scarlet-tipped toes of Lina's pedicured foot.

Lina lounged on the sofa in a tiny swimsuit, legs crossed, smiling down at Elara with a smug, feline air.

"Careful, darling. If you hurt yourself, my brother might actually care."

"She's lost that privilege," Brian said coolly.

He took a seat on the sofa.

Lina curled up against his arm, catlike and clingy, shooting Elara a taunting smirk.

Elara picked herself up, icy and composed, a mocking smile tugging at her lips. "So, Mr. Vincent, am I here to enjoy a free preview of your ‘exclusive show'?"

Brian's eyes darkened. Lina rose, glided to the bar, and selected a bottle of sweet red wine.

"This one's fruity and light, perfect for a soak in the hot tub," she said, pouring two glasses—one for Brian, and one she brought to Elara's lips.

Elara turned her head away in disgust.

"Oh? Are you really that repulsed by me?" Lina pouted theatrically, then suddenly grabbed Elara's chin in a bruising grip. "But I insist—you're going to drink."

Elara's eyes flashed. She twisted Lina's wrist in a sharp, practiced move and shoved her away.

Lina's glass tilted, and wine splashed all over Elara's clothes—the deep red staining the fabric like a wound.

"I told you to teach her a lesson, not destroy her clothes. Like it or not, she's still my wife. You want her paraded around like that? Are you trying to embarrass me?"

Since Elara had moved out of Platinum Bay, Brian's moods had grown dangerously unpredictable.

Lina's breathing turned ragged, her eyes wide with fear. "I'm sorry, Brian, I didn't mean to—"

He let go of her with a cold flick of his wrist.

"You bought it. Wear it yourself, and get out."

Coughing and gasping, Lina fell to her knees at his feet, pleading. "Please—don't do this—please!"

Elara watched all of this, frowning, a strange and indescribable emotion twisting inside her.

Is that what love is—losing yourself, groveling for scraps of affection?

Lost in thought, she didn't notice Brian had already crossed the room and was looming right in front of her.