To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 184

Ellis nodded, his fingers slipping absentmindedly beneath the hem of the woman's dress beside him.

Gareth fell silent for a moment, then finally spoke. "Once you've replaced your brother, will you let him go?"

Ellis exchanged a lingering glance with the woman in his arms, a smile tugging at his lips. "Did he ever let me go when he had the chance?"

So, in the end, only one of the two brothers could survive.

Gareth looked down, jaw set tight. In one swift motion, he tipped back his glass and downed the last of his whiskey.

Just then, the door to the private room swung open. A woman in a striking red trench coat swept inside.

Immediately, two bodyguards stepped forward, scanning her with a device before gesturing for her to remove her coat.

She nodded, slipped off the coat, and hung it on the rack by the door.

The silver, body-hugging dress she wore underneath shimmered in the low light, emphasizing her alluring figure.

She offered Ellis a slight curtsy, then crossed the room to sit beside Gareth, pouring him another drink.

"I don't need it," Gareth said flatly, setting his glass down. The woman froze, mid-pour.

Ellis chuckled. "Ms. Winters is unwell, and, well, a man has his needs. Just don't let her find out. This one's far cleaner than Ms. Winters, anyway."

Gareth shook his head. "You and I see these things differently."

Ellis just smiled, saying nothing.

The woman played with her long hair, a cloud of heavy, floral perfume drifting toward Gareth.

He had a strange quirk—he was drawn to that scent.

Otherwise, he never would have become so fixated on Nanette, the woman who worked in the massage parlor.

He couldn't help but let his gaze wander over, only to find the woman was watching him too, her stare burning.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Gareth's tone was cold.

She smiled sweetly, pressing the glass to his lips and leaning against his shoulder. "Because you're handsome."

Gareth looked annoyed, but still drank the wine she offered.

She rose, circling behind him, and laid gentle fingers against his temples.

"I just want to help you relax," she whispered.

Gareth closed his eyes, drawing in a deep breath. "What's your name?"

"Stella Knightley." Her voice was honey-sweet.

Elara, once so bright and innocent, now seemed impossibly guarded.

Her long lashes lowered, her answer almost dismissive. "We all have to grow up. It's not like things have been easy for you, either."

Ryan's chest tightened with a pang of sadness.

"Let's go," Elara said, taking the lead. "Thank you for helping me this time. We should keep our distance from now on."

They walked to the entrance of the bar.

Just then, a rowdy group of drunken men and women stumbled inside, laughing and shoving.

Ryan instinctively extended his arm, shielding Elara with a loose embrace.

Suddenly, a drunken woman lurched forward, slamming Elara right into Ryan's chest.

Annoyed, Elara shot the woman a glare and started to pull away from Ryan—when a camera flash went off with a loud click, capturing the two of them tangled together.

"Well, well…"

Nanette lowered her phone triumphantly, tucking it into her bag like a prized trophy, her face gleaming with the thrill of having caught them red-handed.

"Finally! I've caught you two cheaters in the act!"