To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 2

As long as he made it back in time, she was willing to give him a chance to explain.

But the next morning, the one who burst through the door wasn't Brian—it was his impeccably made-up stepmother.

Nanette Winters swept into the hospital room with a small entourage, utterly ignoring the fact that Elara's gown was unbuttoned for her therapy session.

Flushing with shame and outrage, Elara scrambled to cover herself.

Lorraine, ever loyal, quickly stepped in front of the bed to shield her from view.

"Ma'am, didn't you see the ‘Do Not Disturb' sign outside?" she said firmly.

Nanette lifted her chin with all the arrogance she could muster. "The hospital is out of private rooms. She needs to be discharged immediately—my friend is taking this one."

Elara didn't reply right away.

It wasn't Nanette's aggression that gave her pause—it was the strangeness of the moment. Nanette had never liked her, but her usual tactics were limited to snide remarks and veiled insults. As a stepmother with no real standing in the Vincent family, she'd always kept her distance—never crossing the line. What had changed? What had given her the courage to pull this stunt now?

One of Nanette's friends tugged her sleeve, whispering, "Mrs. Vincent, if there aren't any rooms, we can always try another hospital. It's not a big deal. Let's not disturb Mrs. Vincent's recovery."

Everyone in their social circle knew Brian adored his wife. Nanette had insisted her friend come anyway, and she hadn't dared refuse.

Nanette, however, sneered. "Don't be afraid, Mrs. Chamberlain. In a few days, Brian will divorce her and she'll be nothing. Taking her room? I could take her life and it'd be like squashing a bug."

She turned her glare on Elara, determined to prove her status among the city's socialites.

"Brian's not here. Who are you putting on this pathetic act for? Get out."

Normally, Elara would have swallowed her anger for Brian's sake, letting Nanette's petty cruelty slide.

But not this time.

Nanette's composure snapped. She lunged for Elara, only to be stopped by Lorraine's arms.

"Ma'am, you can't touch her," Lorraine insisted.

"You old hag!" Nanette shrieked. "Get her out of here! Now!"

Two bodyguards stepped forward at her command.

Lorraine, in her fifties and no match for the burly guards, was quickly and unceremoniously moved aside.

With no one left to intervene, Nanette lunged, a crazed smile twisting her face as she grabbed Elara by the collar, her crimson nails digging into the fabric.

"You think you're better than me?" she hissed. "I'll tear this dress right off you and toss you out there like a stray dog—let's see how high and mighty you look then!"