To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 164

Jason prided himself on being a gentleman—at least, he kept up the appearance. He couldn't afford to lose his composure in front of a woman.

"No man likes a woman who's too clever."

It wasn't the first time he'd told her that.

Unfazed, Elara replied, "It's enough that I love myself. I don't need anyone else's approval."

Jason narrowed his eyes, a lazy sort of threat in his gaze. "Let's hope you're just as self-sufficient when it comes to my brother."

At the mention of Ryan, Elara grew quiet, lost in thoughts she didn't share.

Once again, Jason found himself outmaneuvered by her. Twice, now—always with Elara.

His secretary, watching the exchange, could tell Jason had been bested again.

Was this the same housewife, pampered by her husband for four years? How could she become such a force to be reckoned with the moment she entered the workplace?

"Mr. Lawrence, perhaps you should look into the relationship between Miss Jules and Mr. Ryan."

Jason stopped short in the hallway, his expression unreadable.

Elara's health had finally improved enough for her to be discharged. Still, since the higher-ups had put in a word for her, the doctors played it cautious and asked her to stay another day.

Her sleep had been a mess lately—she'd doze off whenever exhaustion hit, only to be jolted awake by nightmares.

That evening, after a routine checkup from the nurse, she drifted off again.

Once more, the dream returned: steel needles piercing her abdomen. This time, the pain was excruciating.

Elara jerked awake in the dim twilight, gasping for air.

A man's hand rested on her forehead; before he could pull away, their eyes met.

Elara was the first to recover. She pushed his hand aside and sat up, one palm pressed protectively to her stomach, her expression wary.

"I... I just wanted to check on you. To make sure you were okay," Brian stammered.

Streetlights spilled through the window, outlining Brian's rigid posture as he sat at her bedside.

"Or when you knew there was danger all around but never bothered to warn me? Was that love?"

"And when you found out I was pregnant—after I got hurt—you arranged for a secret abortion behind my back..."

"No." Brian cut her off, desperate. "I didn't know you were pregnant. Your injuries were too severe—the baby couldn't be saved. I asked Charles to arrange the procedure so you wouldn't suffer more. I told him not to tell you because I didn't want to see you in pain. We can have more children, Elara. I swear."

"Can I?" Elara's eyes brimmed with tears. "Or did you already plot it all out—wait until I couldn't have kids, then hand me your sister's illegitimate child to raise, so I'd owe you both for the privilege?"

"No." Brian shook his head, stricken. "I never thought that. Not for a second."

A bitter smile twisted Elara's lips. "So you're saying you just haven't found a better scapegoat for your sister yet? Am I only useful to you until I'm spent?"

"That's not true… It isn't—"

Brian's composure finally cracked, emotion surging through him.

"Isn't it?" Elara laughed bitterly. "Then tell me, can you honestly say you don't care more about Lina than about my life?"