To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 247

Elara hung up on him and made her way upstairs.

Her ankle was still swollen, so she moved slowly, but not so slow that she kept him waiting long.

Zane set a clean teacup in front of her, then started washing another one for himself.

“Were you following me?” Elara eyed him warily.

Zane didn’t even bother to look up. “I have better things to do than pass the time stalking you.”

“Then how did you—”

“Went to the bathroom. Came back and just happened to see you.”

Maybe it really was just a coincidence. Elara relaxed a little.

A waiter appeared with their food. Zane slid a tube of ointment across the table to her.

“Taking responsibility till the end.”

Elara picked up the ointment and examined it—it was for bruises and swelling.

She bristled instantly.

“You just ‘happened’ to bump into me with this stuff in your pocket? You were totally following me!”

This time, Zane nodded calmly. “If the universe meant for us to meet, or if I intended to track you down, I’d rather believe it was fate that made me do it.”

Elara blinked, speechless.

Ignoring the look on her face, Zane pushed a plate of silky tofu with peanut sauce in front of her. His tone was casual, almost distant. “Wasn’t sure if you liked spicy food, so I ordered you two dipping sauces. And there’s a house specialty—smoked bacon with wild mushrooms. It’s actually pretty good…”

Elara had no appetite. She felt like she’d already eaten her fill of irritation.

Meanwhile, in the private dining room next door—

Ingrid stormed in, fuming.

Gregory Goldsmith and his wife were already seated and had ordered.

Gregory pulled out a chair for her. “You said you were busy. What made you show up so suddenly?”

Ingrid stamped her foot in frustration. “He won’t talk to me, won’t even let me go with him to the hospital!”

They crossed paths at the corner.

Ingrid stared her down for a couple of seconds, then muttered, “You know, you’re the one who roped me into this, but don’t expect me to thank you.”

Elara tossed her paper towel into the trash, utterly unfazed.

“I don’t need your thanks. You made a mess of things all on your own. So this is what ‘Miss Goldsmith’ is capable of? I have to say, I’m disappointed.”

Ingrid bristled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Elara let out a dry laugh. “Isn’t it obvious? I handed him to you on a silver platter and you still couldn’t seal the deal. Clearly, I overestimated you. Next time, I’ll find someone with more skill—someone who’ll actually get the job done.”

Ingrid looked like she was about to explode, but suddenly she stopped and studied Elara instead.

“Are you… really done with Brian? He’s rich, you know. Women would kill to be in your shoes, and you’re just going to throw that away?”

Elara gave her a withering look. “Trying to reason with someone like you is pointless. Move.”

Ingrid blocked her path, forcing a sneer. “You know, your husband isn’t exactly indifferent to me. When we were together, he didn’t hold back. If he hadn’t landed in the hospital, we probably would’ve ended up in bed by now.”