To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 167

Elara stared at the glass of wine, watching the poison ripple just beneath the surface. She knew exactly what this was—a game of life and death, and the old matriarch was forcing her to play.

The old woman's eyes were cold as she sneered, "Yes, I'm old, but I'm far from useless. I swore to protect the Vincent family for my husband, and I won't allow anyone to threaten us. Since you've crossed the line, I have no choice but to cut you off, no matter how it pains me."

Elara considered her words for a moment, then calmly picked up the glass, her pale fingers tracing the rim.

"I'll drink it. But after this, I owe nothing to the Vincent family—or to you."

With those words, everything was severed.

The old woman nodded slightly. "If you survive, then go and live your life. Make the most of it."

Elara raised the glass to her lips, ready to drink.

"Wait!"

Brian strode in, knocking the glass from her hand with a sharp crack.

"You'd die for this? Really? You'd actually drink it? All that cleverness, and you use it against me?"

Poison spilled across the floor. Elara remained silent, unwilling to argue.

The old woman shot her grandson a look of exasperation. "She'd rather die than be tied to the Vincents any longer. Are you still not ready to let her go?"

The lighting had been dim last night; only now did Elara notice how much weight Brian had lost, how the sharpness of his jaw made his face look even colder.

"Grandmother, I pushed her to this. She's not to blame."

Felice gave a bitter laugh. "You always defend her, even after she's betrayed you twice. Still so loyal."

Brian hid the pain in his eyes. "I'm the one who wronged her."

Elara didn't so much as flinch. She simply looked away.

"You call it love, but in the end, you let another woman come between you," Felice said.

Before her words faded, the door opened and Yves Caldwell entered.

He glanced from the matriarch to Brian, hesitating.

"Speak. We're all family here," Brian said.

"Grandmother, I won't abandon the Vincent family. But Elara? I'm not letting her go, either."

With that, he dropped to one knee.

"Today, I swear—within three months, I'll bring SiliconCrest Group back to its former glory. If I fail, I'll sign those divorce papers myself."

Felice's gaze sharpened, but she said nothing.

Elara looked at Brian for two full seconds, then knelt down as well.

"Thank you, Mrs. Vincent, for saving my grandfather's life all those years ago. I wish you long years and good health. With this, Elara says goodbye."

Four years of marriage—she owed nothing more.

She bowed her head in thanks, then rose to leave.

Brian caught her hand.

She turned to him. "We will get divorced, Brian. No matter what it takes."