To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 205

Elara sped through the city, making her way toward Mercy General Hospital.

Halfway there, her phone rang—Yves Caldwell’s name flashed on the screen.

“Ma’am, you missed a signature on yesterday’s agreement.”

“I’ll call you back when I’m done here,” Elara replied.

“No need to trouble yourself,” Yves said. “Give me your location and I’ll bring the paperwork to you.”

Not wanting any complications, Elara quickly found a nearby business plaza on her GPS and sent him the address.

Twenty minutes later, Yves Caldwell arrived, right on time.

Elara signed the missing page with practiced efficiency.

Yves double-checked every signature before speaking again. “Mr. Vincent is worried that if anything happens to him, he won’t be able to protect you. These documents need to go to Nova Terra immediately to take effect. Sorry to disturb you.”

“Has something happened to the Vincent family?” Elara asked.

Yves hesitated, weighing his words, then let out a weary sigh. “Nanette’s death pushed Mr. Gareth over the edge. He’s helped Mr. Ellis acquire eight percent of the company and a seat on the board. Now they’re pressuring the board to go after Mr. Vincent—Gareth even wants to frame him and get him arrested. Mrs. Vincent has fallen ill from the stress. The situation is dangerous. Mr. Vincent is surrounded on all sides.”

Elara lowered her eyes. “He’s Brian. He’ll manage.”

Yves lowered his voice. “You don’t understand, ma’am. Mr. Ellis is ruthless—he shot his own father without hesitation back then. Now he and Mr. Gareth are working in tandem, pushing Mr. Vincent to the brink. Mr. Vincent agreed to the divorce because he’s afraid he won’t be able to keep you safe if something happens to him. After you signed the papers yesterday, he spent the whole night alone in his study.”

Elara couldn’t help but picture him sitting by lamplight, alone.

He always had a plan—he always had leverage.

But the next second, she forced herself to crush that flicker of doubt.

“Well, I hope he gets through this soon.”

Before Yves could reply, she’d already turned, shutting the car door with a decisive thud.

***

When Elara arrived at Mercy General, Mrs. Archer was nowhere to be found in her hospital room.

Mrs. Archer was severely anemic; she needed to recover some strength before she could undergo any procedure.

Knowing she couldn’t endure a long journey in her state, Elara arranged for her to stay at The Nectar Hotel—a noisy place, but private enough to keep her hidden. She checked her in under Summer’s ID, so even if someone came looking, they’d hit a dead end.

Once Mrs. Archer had regained her strength, Elara planned to send her to Breezewood City next door for the operation.

Elara replaced all the hotel’s old furniture and stocked the place with pots and dishes, so Mrs. Archer could cook for herself if she wanted.

“Three days at most, Gareth will have people searching everywhere for you. Luckily, you need bed rest, so you don’t have to leave the room.”

Elara handed her a new phone. “Don’t contact anyone for now. I’ll bring you medicine and anything else you need. If anything happens, call me immediately.”

Mrs. Archer was so overwhelmed with gratitude she could barely get the words out—she just kept thanking her, over and over.

But Elara still felt a pang of guilt.

If she hadn’t used Mrs. Archer’s pregnancy to provoke Nanette, Gareth would never have caught wind of it—and Mrs. Archer wouldn’t be in this mess.