To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 230

“Are you alright? We came out here to fish and didn’t even bring any gear—how did we end up in a mess like this…”

Before he could finish, Zane shot him a sharp look, and the rest of his words died in his throat.

“There was quite a commotion here. Some locals called the police,” Quincy Shelton said calmly.

“They were after me, Grandpa—my grandpa…” Elara suddenly came back to herself and bolted toward the farmhouse they’d rented.

“I’ll leave things here to you,” Zane said, tossing the words over his shoulder as he sprinted after her.

But as Elara reached the bottom of the slope, her legs seemed to turn to lead. She froze, unable to move forward.

Her grandfather lay sprawled at the foot of the last stone step, his body twisted at an unnatural right angle. His weathered face was pressed into the dirt, one arm wrenched behind him, fingers still curled as if clinging to something—broken blades of dried grass caught between them.

“Grandpa!”

Her knees buckled, and she collapsed heavily to the ground.

It felt as if a nail had been driven into her chest—she could barely breathe, and every gasp sent stabbing pain through her ribs.

The five or six feet between them, she crossed on her knees, dragging herself to his side.

She reached out, but Zane gently caught her hand.

He stayed steady, his voice calm. “Wait for the paramedics. Don’t move him.”

Elara’s eyes were red and brimming with tears. She clutched his arm desperately. “Please—you have to save him. Please, I’m begging you.”

Zane crouched down and checked for breath. He already feared the worst, but kept his face composed, supporting Elara as she nearly collapsed. “The ambulance will be here soon. No matter what, you have to hold on.”

…

Gage was rushed to the hospital and spent more than seven hours in emergency care.

“The patient is elderly, and his injuries are severe. We’ve done everything we can,” the doctor said.

He heard her approach and opened his eyes.

With a dull thud, she knelt beside him.

“I’m so sorry, Grandpa. This is all my fault.”

He couldn’t move at all, but with great effort he managed to speak. “Get up, sweetheart. This isn’t your fault.”

Rose came over with two chairs and gently helped Elara to her feet.

“Dad, don’t talk now. I’m here. The house… we’ll manage…” She choked back her tears. “Just focus on getting better, please.”

He let out a weary sigh. “Don’t comfort me. I know my own body, what’s ahead.” He turned his gaze to Elara. “Sweetheart…”

His fingers twitched, and Elara quickly took his hand, holding it gently.

“When I go… do you think I’ll see Ryan Linden again?”