To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 17

Yves Caldwell glanced at the rearview mirror and, for once, didn't try to hide the truth.

"The amount of air injected into the vein was minimal. It's not life-threatening."

"So Dr. Calloway couldn't do anything?"

He sighed. "Dr. Calloway, for some reason, got emotional and said something harsh to Mr. Vincent. And Mr. Vincent, without asking any questions, just packed up and flew out there. Look at this mess…"

Yves paused, then continued, "Mr. Vincent's staying a few extra days this time to settle some things. He won't be flying out to Oldborough at the drop of a hat anymore."

He finished and snuck another look in the mirror, but Elara's face was as unreadable as ever.

"Ma'am, there's really nothing between Mr. Vincent and Miss Vincent. They were set up, framed by someone. We'll find out who was behind that trending story and make sure they pay for it."

Nothing between them. Yet at the first sign of trouble, he rushed to her side without a second thought, not even stopping to check if the news was true.

But when Elara was in the ICU—twice—teetering on the edge, he chose to stay with that other woman.

Love and indifference: you can't compare them, but the difference is so painfully clear.

Elara's voice was dripping with sarcasm. "What, Lina couldn't have staged the whole thing herself?"

Yves had no answer.

When Elara got back to Platinum Bay, the first thing she did was start packing.

"Ma'am, you're…?" Mrs. Archer ventured.

Without looking up, Elara replied, "I'm tired of living here. I'm moving out for a while."

Mrs. Archer wasn't fooled for a second. This wasn't about being tired—she was running away from home.

"But, ma'am, you can't leave."

Elara frowned. "And why not?"

"Mr. Vincent said you're not to go anywhere until he returns."

Elara wasn't the least bit surprised Brian had anticipated her.

He always had a knack for reading people like an open book. In business, he could predict a rival's next move with just the twitch of an eyebrow.

So, for now, she relocated to the study.

After they married, Brian wouldn't let her work, but at least she'd insisted on having her own study, a space where she could still be herself.

Late that night, she was sleeping soundly when a hand slid around her waist. Elara startled awake and kicked out hard.

Brian's voice turned cold. "That was your wedding ring. Where did you throw it?"

"This marriage is built on lies. Does the ring really matter? I didn't want it, so I tossed it in the sea."

Brian narrowed his eyes, studying her as if seeing her for the first time.

The tension between them slowly settled into a heavy silence.

A moment later, Brian gave a humorless smile. "So, this is how you punish me? Got anything else up your sleeve?"

Elara hesitated at his question, then looked away.

"This isn't punishment. We need some distance—to think about whether this marriage is even worth saving."

Brian's expression darkened. Suddenly, he scooped her up in his arms.

"Put me down!" Elara struggled, but Brian only tightened his hold and carried her out into the hallway.

"We're not separating. Not unless I say so. And you're not going anywhere."

Elara felt like her chest was stuffed full of wet cotton—heavy, suffocating, and impossible to shake off.