To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 195

Just as Gareth was about to grab Elara's wrist, Ryan stepped in, blocking his hand.

Gareth's voice was cold and sharp. "Stay out of this."

Ryan opened his mouth to respond, but Elara squeezed his arm gently.

"Thank you for today," she said quietly. "I can handle the Vincent family myself. You should go."

Ryan knew that staying with Elara any longer would put his identity at risk. He shot Gareth a dark look before turning and walking away.

As soon as he was gone, Gareth demanded, "Who was that? What's going on between you two?"

Elara's lips curled in mockery. "I didn't realize you were so interested in other people's gossip, Mr. Gareth. I thought your mind was always occupied with your precious wife."

"You—" Gareth clenched his jaw, struggling to keep his temper. "You're still married into the Vincent family. Nanette is still your mother-in-law. She had you tied up, tried to get someone to hurt you—but at the end of the day, that's a family issue. Why would you drag it to the police?"

Elara looked up at him, her smile cold. "So what you're saying is, the law should make an exception for the Vincent family's dirty laundry?"

A vein pulsed in Gareth's temple. "Don't think I've forgotten about you cozying up to Stella Knightley. We're not done with that conversation!"

He spun to his bodyguards, barking, "What are you standing around for? I've already taken care of everything. Get her to the station, have her sign the statement, and drop the case—today!"

The bodyguards began to move, but a woman's voice cut through the tension.

"No wonder you see kidnapping and assault as nothing more than minor inconveniences. You play the loyal husband for show, but underneath it all, you're nothing but a monster in a man's skin."

Gareth turned, deflated when he saw who it was. "What do you know, Mrs. Archer? Stay out of things that don't concern you."

Mrs. Archer stepped to Elara's side. "Maybe I don't know much, but I know the difference between right and wrong."

Gareth closed his eyes, exasperated. "Why are you even here?"

"None of your business," Mrs. Archer shot back. "And frankly, I don't care to see your face. Get out."

Gareth clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Is that any way to talk to me? You don't know what I'm dealing with, you—"

Before he could finish, Mrs. Archer grabbed a nearby mop and started swinging it at him. The bodyguards rushed to shield Gareth as he stumbled back, cursing under his breath. He glared at Elara one last time. "You lucked out," he muttered, then turned and stalked away.

Watching him go, Elara felt her suspicions harden into certainty. There was more to Mrs. Archer's dislike of Nanette and Gareth than met the eye. And as harsh as Gareth acted toward Mrs. Archer, there always seemed to be something softer lurking beneath the bluster.

A troubling suspicion began to form in Elara's mind.

"But the report says you need to be hospitalized immediately, or there's a serious risk of bleeding. And here you are, chasing Gareth around and swinging a mop at him."

Elara couldn't help but laugh as she spoke.

Mrs. Archer joined in, a touch embarrassed.

"Tell you what," Elara said, "I'll go to Platinum Bay and ask for your leave. You just focus on resting."

…

Meanwhile, Gareth left the hospital and climbed into his car, dialing his phone with a scowl.

"She refuses to withdraw the complaint," he snapped.

Ellis's voice came through the line. "Withdraw or not, it makes no difference now. The Serpentine Club is already a target—cops and Brian are all over us. I almost ran into Brian tonight. There's no fixing it after the fact. Maybe remind your foster daughter not to cause me any more trouble."