To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 134

Elara didn't try to be brave; she stayed close behind him.

Neither of them wore shoes, and every step on the rough path—littered with twigs and sharp pebbles—sent jolts of pain up their legs.

They'd barely gone twenty feet when two figures came running toward them from the shadows up ahead.

Jason instinctively threw his arm out, shielding Elara.

The strangers spotted them and pulled up short.

One look was all it took—these people weren't here to help.

"Still sure you don't want to team up?" Jason asked quietly.

Elara understood what he meant: if she shook her head, he'd walk away and leave her to whatever came next.

She hesitated only a heartbeat, then bit her lip, turned, and bolted back the way they'd come.

She'd barely taken a few steps when she heard two sharp cries behind her.

Whipping around, she saw both pursuers sprawled on the ground, Jason standing over them, breathing hard.

"You—"

Elara had barely spoken when a beam of light cut through the dark at the far end of the path.

A group of people—moving with military precision—came running toward them.

Leading the pack was Jason's assistant.

"Mr. Lawrence, the doctor's waiting just up ahead. We'll get you there right away."

Jason steadied his breath. "Miss Jules is injured. Take her first—she owes me a favor."

No questions asked, the assistant immediately ordered a stretcher. Elara was gently lifted and carried up the path.

Once she was gone from sight, Jason's face hardened.

The assistant hurried over, lowering his voice. "Mr. Ryan called and told me what was happening, sir. The men up top have been dealt with, and no one else was alerted."

A few fresh scratches on Jason's face only made his expression colder.

"Find out if it was his doing," Jason said, voice low and sharp. "If it was, I want an explanation."

"One day he'll learn the truth, and he'll regret it. I swear he will!"

But for Elara, it didn't matter anymore. Whether Brian ever knew the truth or not, this marriage was already crumbling—there was no going back.

Seeing the emptiness in her eyes, Summer took her hand gently. "Elara, you need to find your family. I don't know how much longer Ignition Dynamics can hold on. You need someone to stand with you."

Elara's brow creased. "What happened?"

"The bank's pulling our line of credit. Tax auditors showed up today. Environmental inspectors are coming tomorrow, and the next day—who knows." Summer paused, looking exhausted. "We're running a legitimate business, but you can't get anything done when there's a new inspection every day. And with the bank cutting us off, our funding dries up overnight. Some clients are pulling out of contracts… Elara, I'm not afraid of losing the company. I'm afraid you'll lose your last bargaining chip. Without family backing you, you're all alone in this."

Brian wasn't just humiliating her—he was systematically cutting off every possible support. He wanted her trapped, helpless, at his mercy.

Elara forced back her rising emotions. "Ignition Dynamics won't fall. I won't let him control me much longer…"

She turned to the window, eyes dark and stormy, a tempest brewing beneath the calm.

"It's time for a second surprise."

"What kind of surprise?" Summer's eyes lit up.