To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 276

Gregory’s eyes finally focused on the car before him—a Lincoln L5. The wheelchair Elara was using belonged to Quincy Shelton. Which could only mean… he was here too?

Elara caught the way Gregory seemed to lose all will to protest. A sly smile curled her lips. “Your daughter’s lost her uterus, Gregory. Why not go beg Brian to take her in? He’s like a garbage collector—doesn’t matter how cheap the trash, he’ll drag it home. Move fast, maybe the old Goldsmith family will still have a future in the business.”

“You—” Gregory clutched his chest, the color draining from his face as he crumpled to the ground.

Only then did Elara notice Brian standing right behind her.

His gaze dropped to her wheelchair, his brow knitting in concern as he stepped closer. “What happened to your legs?”

Elara met his stare, her voice calm and free of malice. “You really want to know?”

Brian’s face was unreadable, but his fists clenched at his sides.

Elara crooked a finger, beckoning him closer.

Brian bent down.

The next second—smack! Elara’s palm landed hard across his cheek.

Her voice drifted past his ear, light and cold. “Courtesy of you, Brian. Thanks so much.”

Brian’s tongue pressed against the inside of his burning cheek as he straightened, a faint, humorless smile on his lips. “As long as I can walk myself into the courthouse again, that’s all I need.”

With that, he turned and walked away, never once glancing at Gregory, who lay groaning on the pavement.

Quincy Shelton just sighed, pulling out his phone to dial emergency services. “Miss Jules, shall we get you in the car?”

Elara nodded, bracing her hands on the armrests, trying with all her might to stand. Quincy stepped in behind her, steadying her, but her legs simply wouldn’t cooperate.

Just as she was about to sink back into the chair, a hand reached out from inside the car and pulled her in.

Elara tumbled onto the backseat, landing in a flustered heap. Her hand landed—mortifyingly—on the inside of Zane’s thigh.

Their eyes met, breaths mingling, the air suddenly charged.

Elara jerked her hand back as if she’d touched a live wire, scooting to the far end of the seat.

Zane quickly masked the flicker of emotion in his eyes, but a mocking grin tugged at his lips. “You sure know how to pick your moments.”

Elara’s ears burned scarlet. She turned her face away, staring out the window.

Lina just wept in silence.

Ellis forced his patience. “Relax, I’ll make sure you get to sleep with him. But—” his tone sharpened, “don’t go poking the bear with Elara again. Don’t mess up my plans. Understood?”

Lina nodded through her tears.

Let Elara off?

Not a chance.

…

Jason ended up at the hospital, while Zane drove Elara back to her apartment building.

On the way, Zane must’ve told himself a thousand times to let her go, not to get involved, just drop her off and leave.

But when he saw her struggle again and again to get the wheelchair through the entrance, he finally got out, frowning as he stooped and scooped her up in his arms.

He misjudged his strength—just as he lifted her, Elara’s lips brushed, soft and warm, across his cheek, leaving a faint, lingering trace.