To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 293

The old woman glanced at him with an indifferent look. “If I go after her, won’t Brian turn against me?”

Ah, he’d misunderstood her.

John Prescott lowered his head.

But then the old woman let out a cold snort. “Any woman capable of sending Nanette Winters packing isn’t some soft-hearted fool. She’s already shown her hand—Lina is a ticking time bomb by Brian’s side.”

…

At that very moment, Lina was being released on bail by the lawyer.

Brian didn’t come to pick her up.

Lina was no fool; she saw right through his deliberate cold shoulder.

So instead of heading straight to the office to find him, she made her way directly to the airport.

Hayden Everly had been sitting in a café near the terminal for over an hour, lost in thought before finally making up his mind to leave.

He’d barely reached the door before a group of rough-looking men blocked his way.

Without a word, they grabbed him and dragged him across the street to a deserted construction lot.

They didn’t hesitate. Fists and boots rained down mercilessly on his face.

It was his second beating that day, and Hayden was soon reduced to a wailing, bloodied mess.

Only when blood from his forehead streamed into his eyes, blinding him, did they finally stop.

Lina stepped out from behind the men, her gaze icy and sharp.

“Where were you off to, Mr. Everly?” she asked with an unsettling smile.

Hayden’s mouth was so swollen he could barely speak. “Picking up… a friend,” he mumbled.

Lina kicked his battered suitcase. “Picking up a friend, and you need luggage for that?”

Hayden collapsed on the ground, silent.

Lina crouched down in front of him and slapped him hard across the face.

“So you thought once I was locked up, you could make a run for it? Listen up, we’re all in the same sinking boat. If I go under, I promise you’re coming with me. Don’t even think about jumping ship now.”

But Brian was unmoved by her tears. He didn’t even bother to meet her gaze, turning away coldly.

“You don’t need to do this for me.”

“Brian,” Lina’s voice trembled with emotion, “I just want to make it up to you.”

Brian let out a low, bitter laugh. “Do you even understand what you did wrong?”

Lina bit her lip, silence and remorse written all over her face.

Only then did Brian look at her, his voice softening, though his eyes were still sharp. “You tried so hard to paint Elara as a traitor just to push me toward divorce. But you forgot something—I’m a man. I have my pride.”

“I know I was wrong, Brian…”

Tears streamed down Lina’s face, unchecked.

Brian’s expression finally softened. He stood and handed her a tissue.

“Don’t cry. If Hayden Everly really is someone you can trust, I won’t stand in your way. But if he’s not, don’t force yourself. No matter who you marry, I’ll make sure you have a generous dowry.”