To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 162

"I'm so tired, but I just can't sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I feel like someone's still pinning me down. That huge needle…"

Elara's whole body trembled as she recalled it, her voice trailing off.

Summer, worried that Elara might spiral into another crisis, hurried to find a doctor, hoping they could give her something to calm her nerves.

Fortunately, the team of specialists from Capital City hadn't left yet. It seemed they wouldn't go until Elara was truly out of danger.

"The dosage they injected into her was far too high," one of the doctors explained, checking her chart. "Blood tests show it'll take at least another dozen hours for the drugs to clear her system completely. For now, let's use some acupuncture to help stabilize her nervous system."

With that, the doctor motioned for his assistant, who brought over a polished wooden case filled with delicate needles.

As the doctor began the procedure, Summer leaned in and whispered, "Can I ask who sent you?"

The doctor glanced at her and simply smiled, saying nothing.

Summer wasn't naïve. She guessed it probably had something to do with that important figure from Capital City.

But this was the second time he'd stepped in to save Elara. The first time was because she'd begged for help—but what about this time?

After the treatment and a mild sedative, Elara finally drifted off to sleep.

Summer stayed with her through the night, but exhaustion caught up with her too. She slept so deeply on the visitor's cot that she missed Elara's restless whimpers and sweat-soaked nightmares.

By the time the effects of the acupuncture wore off the next morning, Elara jolted awake from a nightmare. Pale dawn was just breaking outside the window.

Summer was still snoring softly on the cot nearby, dead to the world.

If Summer was sleeping so soundly, then who was it last night who wiped the sweat from her brow, who held her close and whispered apologies over and over? Could it really have been…?

Elara's breath caught in her throat.

Just then, the door to the hospital room opened quietly.

Ryan's face appeared in the gap.

Both of them froze for a moment in surprise.

Seeing Elara sitting up in bed, Ryan stepped inside on quiet feet.

"I heard you fainted yesterday. I wanted to check on you," he said softly.

"Did Jason tell you?" Elara asked, her tone neutral.

Ryan didn't answer, but when he noticed the bruises on her hands and the marks around her neck, his expression tensed. He could only imagine what injuries lay beneath the covers.

His fists clenched unconsciously.

He glanced at Elara; his eyes were clouded with something unreadable.

"My brother sent me. If you're alright, I'll go."

With that, he strode out of the room.

Now fully awake, Summer was bewildered.

"Didn't the Lawrence family's second son die at Jason's hands? And now this newly-minted Lawrence bastard is locked in some death match with Jason, but he still comes to check on you for his brother? How does that make sense?"

Maybe there was some reason Ryan Linden couldn't admit who he really was.

Elara was silent for a moment, then turned to Summer. "Did anyone else come by last night?"

Summer thought for a second before shaking her head. "No, no one."

"I'm starving. Could you get us something to eat?" Elara asked.

Summer was already thinking the same thing. With everything that had happened yesterday, she'd barely eaten either, and now her stomach was growling.

But as soon as she reached the stairwell, she caught sight of Ryan and Brian locked in a scuffle.

"Oh, come on! Cut it out, both of you!" she shouted, hurrying toward them.