To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 251

Elara didn’t soften at the sight of his pained, tortured expression.

“Don’t think that just because you dealt with Lina for me, I’m suddenly going to like you. Brian, I gave you a chance in the beginning—you were the one who threw it away. And now you’re pulling this pathetic act? Honestly, it’s laughable.”

She moved to push past him.

But he didn’t budge.

Elara realized that after only a few days of being quiet, Brian was back to his old tricks.

“Move, or I swear I’ll jab you with snake venom again.”

Brian braced both hands on the edge of the sink, blocking her way out.

“I’ve stocked up on every kind of antidote, Elara. Did you really think I’d fall for the same trick twice?”

She cursed the timing—of course, the restroom was almost empty. If only someone else were here, maybe he’d think twice about cornering her.

Brian watched her struggle, her cheeks flushed with anger, but he didn’t want to push her too far. He finally spoke, voice low, “Elara, just give me a real solution. Tell me what you want, and I’ll do it. Afterward, maybe you’ll consider giving us a fresh start.”

“Sure,” she said coldly. “Bring my grandfather back from the dead.”

Brian froze, pain flickering in his eyes, and just as he opened his mouth to speak, a smooth, deep voice sounded from behind them.

“Since being demoted, Mr. Vincent, you certainly seem to have a lot of free time.”

Brian turned to see Zane, dressed in a perfectly tailored dark suit, watching them with a faint, amused smile.

Elara seized the moment. She shoved Brian aside and strode out of the restroom without another word.

Zane waited by the door, his tall frame cutting off any pursuit.

For a long moment, the two men stared each other down, heavy silence filling the room.

It was Zane who finally broke it, his tone openly mocking.

“Mr. Vincent, if you’re going to let go, try doing it with a little dignity. Act like a man for once.”

Brian glanced at the wedding band on Zane’s left hand and shot back, “Funny, coming from a married man. Eager to play hero for another man’s wife? Does the lady of the house know how generous you are with your time?”

Zane didn’t take offense. If anything, his lips curved with self-assured confidence. “You and I aren’t the same, Brian. Don’t flatter yourself by comparing us.”

With that, he turned on his heel and strode out, not giving Brian a chance to reply.

Back at the gala, Elara found Summer, whispered a quick goodbye, and slipped out early.

Was he criticizing her figure?

Elara suddenly remembered waking up that morning wearing his shirt. She’d been too embarrassed to ask how that happened.

Now, hearing him tease her about her body, she realized—had he… seen everything?

Furious, she lashed out with her foot, aiming a sharp kick at him.

Zane bent, catching her heel gently in his hand, careful not to squeeze too hard.

“What’s this? You’ve got perfect balance when you’re aiming at me, but the second you walk, you trip. Are you trying to get my attention?”

That did it. Elara yanked her foot back, but before she could move, Zane’s face turned cold.

Without warning, he released her foot and, in one swift motion, wrapped an arm around her waist.

Just as he spun her aside, a metal pipe crashed down, barely missing his shoulder and slamming against the concrete with a dull thud.

A gang of thugs surrounded them, closing in fast.

Moments ago, Zane had been the picture of calm sophistication. Now, a cold, dangerous energy radiated from him.