To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 219

Brian was right by the door. The moment the gunshot rang out, he instinctively lunged toward the window.

From Elara’s angle, all she could see was his body jolt.

Chaos erupted in an instant.

Brian turned and shouted, “Yves Caldwell!”

At the far end, Yves Caldwell understood immediately and slipped into the nearest car.

Brian steadied himself against Elara’s car door, catching his breath. “Go with Yves Caldwell. He’ll take you somewhere safe. Keep the windows up.”

He didn’t wait for Elara to ask anything else. Instead, he turned his back to her, flashing Ellis a grim, ruthless smile.

Mrs. Archer was already in a panic. “Ma’am, I think Mr. Vincent’s been hurt. What do we do?”

Elara didn’t answer. Eyes red, she gripped the steering wheel and slammed her foot on the gas.

The car roared away from the toll plaza.

In the rearview mirror, Brian’s silhouette grew smaller and smaller, but he remained upright, shielding their retreat.

…

They wound their way up the mountain road.

Eventually, they pulled up at a secluded villa and came to a stop.

Yves Caldwell stood by the car, all politeness. “Ma’am, Mrs. Archer, you can rest here for now.”

Elara got out but protested, “We need to get to Breezewood City. Mrs. Archer has surgery scheduled.”

Yves Caldwell looked surprised. “Ma’am, even now, you insist on going through with this?”

Elara had no interest in debating philosophy with an assistant. She looked away. “What’s happening over there?”

“I haven’t been able to reach Mr. Vincent yet. But, ma’am… if you’d given Mrs. Archer to Mr. Vincent before, none of this would’ve happened.”

Mrs. Archer, pale and shaken, made her way around the front of the car. “Ma’am, I’m sorry. I’ve dragged you into this.”

Brian clearly wasn’t worried about her running off. He hadn’t even bothered to confiscate her phone. He knew Mrs. Archer’s health wouldn’t allow for any reckless moves. Elara wouldn’t risk it.

She’d barely settled in when her phone rang. It was Ryan.

“I heard something happened near the Northshire tollgate, but the news got buried fast. Was it you—?”

“Your car was being watched,” Elara cut him off.

There was a brief silence. “Sorry. I messed up again.”

Elara didn’t blame him. He’d always been this way.

Ryan Linden was ordinary, really—but he’d always wanted an extraordinary life.

“Your birthday’s coming up. Grandpa will visit your grave.”

“Elara, I—”

She stopped him. “If I can’t make it back, just live your life, Ryan. That’s all Grandpa ever wanted from you.”