To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 291

Hayden Everly looked genuinely startled for a moment.

“But…I’m terrified of going to prison.”

Elara shot him a sideways glance. “Brian would never let the woman he loves suffer. He’ll have her out in a day or two.”

Something shifted in Hayden’s eyes as he looked at Elara.

“I’ve hurt you before. How do I know you won’t just take the money and leave me to rot?” Suspicion sharpened his tone.

Elara leaned in, casually fixing the collar of his shirt.

“You don’t have to trust me. You can always head back to the airport.”

With that, she waved down a real rideshare car for him, sending him on his way.

Elara then slipped into Ryan’s car.

“Think he’ll stick around?” Ryan asked as he pulled away from the curb.

“He’s greedy for cash and fame. He’s cut from the same cloth as Gregory Goldsmith.”

Ryan frowned. “People like that will sell out their own allies the second it suits them. If you’re working with him, you’d better watch your back.”

“I’m not working with him,” Elara said with a faint smile. “We’re both just using each other.”

Ryan nodded, accepting that. “Taking on Brian isn’t some walk in the park. Just make sure you don’t get burned.”

Elara pressed her lips together, saying nothing.

After a pause, Ryan thought of someone else. “By the way, if you can steer clear of Jason, do it. With your uncle out of Kingston City, Jason’s even more unpredictable than usual.”

But Elara’s attention caught on something else. “Your uncle left town?”

“Yeah, he went back to Capital City two days ago. Officially, he’s just the president of the Aurora Energy Association, but in reality, he’s got his hands in a lot more than that. Most major military projects need his sign-off. He’s not someone to take lightly.”

Elara barely registered the last part.

She realized Zane had left two days ago.

Right after they’d parted ways at the convention center, he’d disappeared without a word.

Not only that, but over the past couple of days, every message she’d sent—asking about his injured hand—had gone unanswered.

It felt as if something invisible had grazed her cheek, leaving a sting behind.

It was the butler. The matriarch was ill and wanted to see her.

Elara considered for a moment, then agreed.

Ryan dropped her off at the gates of Vincent Manor, choosing not to linger.

She walked toward the old house alone.

The gardens were as lush as ever, but there was an unfamiliar stillness in the air.

This place had once been home to Kingston City’s most powerful family. Every stone, every brick, seemed to pulse with a quiet, intimidating authority. But now, that sharp edge had faded, leaving only a heavy, echoing emptiness.

As soon as she entered the foyer, she was hit by the pungent smell of herbal medicine.

The butler emerged. “You’re here, madam.”

Elara offered a polite smile. “Mr. Prescott, I’ll be divorcing Brian soon. You can just call me Miss Jules.”

The butler bowed respectfully. “As long as you and the young master haven’t finalized anything, you’re still part of the Vincent family. When that changes, I’ll address you differently.”

Elara didn’t argue. She followed him toward the matriarch’s bedroom.