To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 206

She was doing all this now, really, to make up for her past shortcomings.

After settling Mrs. Archer in, Elara returned to the hospital and gathered up her clothes and the daily medications she needed to take.

She had just shoved everything into the backseat when she suddenly heard Yves Caldwell’s voice behind her. “Is your friend unwell?”

Of all days, today seemed to be one of those odd coincidences—she’d run into Yves Caldwell twice.

“No, I’m just here to ask about something,” she replied, slamming the car door shut, uncertain if he’d noticed the overnight bag on the backseat.

“Are you here as a patient, Assistant Caldwell?” she shot back, her tone as calm as ever.

He smiled. “Just picking up a prescription. Mr. Vincent’s migraines are acting up, and this is the only hospital with the medication that helps.”

Elara remembered then—Brian had always suffered from neurological headaches. But in the past four years, thanks to her relentless care, his migraines had almost disappeared.

Clearly, things hadn’t been easy for him lately.

“Well, I’ll let you get on with it.” Elara turned and headed for the driver’s seat.

“Mrs. Lawrence,” Yves called after her. “Did you know Mrs. Archer has taken an extended leave?”

She paused mid-step, a faint, ironic smile curving her lips. “No idea. I’m about to divorce him, so anything that happens at Platinum Bay is no longer my concern.”

With that, she got into the car, pressed lightly on the gas, and drove away without a backward glance.

In the rearview mirror, Yves Caldwell stood where she’d left him, thoughtful.

Elara gripped the steering wheel tightly, then slowly relaxed her hands.

She’d almost let his words sway her.

Mrs. Archer could never be used as anyone’s bargaining chip.

…

The very next day, in the back room of the antique shop—

Gareth glared coldly at his assistant, who had just returned to report. “What do you mean you lost her the second you found her?”

The assistant looked down, voice low. “Ms. Archer slipped out of the hospital without anyone knowing. The doctors say she has a high risk of miscarriage and needs strict bed rest. She probably caught wind of something and went into hiding. We’ve confirmed she hasn’t returned to Platinum Bay, and Brian doesn’t seem to know she’s gone.”

“He doesn’t know?” Gareth slammed his fist down, shattering the teapot on his desk. “With your kind of efficiency, are you just waiting for him to get his hands on Willow Archer and her child to blackmail me?”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Gareth. We’re expanding the search right away.”

Lina said nothing, just turned and walked out.

Another word with him, and she feared she’d be sick right there.

…

Elara had assumed Mrs. Archer would be fine, as long as she stayed in bed.

Instead, in the middle of the night, her phone rang—Mrs. Archer was bleeding.

It was only a drop or two, but for someone with low platelets, it was dangerously serious.

Elara quickly weighed her options, then dialed Ryan.

The moment she explained the situation, Ryan rolled out of bed, threw on some clothes, and rushed out the door.

He had barely stepped outside when a black sedan glided through the front gates and stopped right in front of him.

The back window slid down, revealing a man’s composed, striking features.

“Where are you rushing off to in the middle of the night?” Zane Lawrence asked.