To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 309

Elara clutched the hem of her hospital gown, her knuckles tense and white. After a moment’s silence, she managed only three words: “I won’t see him.”

Quincy Shelton, hearing her answer, couldn’t help but pause in surprise.

He didn’t know her reasons, but her firm “No” had unexpectedly opened up the very path he’d been struggling to find—a move that protected his boss from scandal, while still letting them pull every string needed for her sake.

Zane took a thoughtful breath, eyes narrowing in concentration. He looked at Ryan. “Go see her as her attorney. File for a visit.”

Jason, worried Zane might be leaving town again, jumped in quickly. “We couldn’t even see her before—someone was putting on pressure behind the scenes. At least now that Uncle Victor’s here, we can follow proper channels.”

No sooner had he finished than Zane’s phone vibrated. Victor’s name flashed on the screen.

“Have you arrived in Kingston City?” Victor’s voice was steady, clipped.

“I’m here,” Zane replied.

“Then why aren’t you home yet?”

“I’m staying at a hotel.”

There was a pause. Victor’s tone softened just a fraction. “We need to talk.”

Lawrence Manor, study.

It was two in the morning, but the lights still burned bright.

Victor sat across from Zane, the distance between them echoing a lifetime of awkwardness. “Do you realize how hard it’s been for you to get here on your own?”

Zane’s face was unreadable. “Is that what you want to know?”

Victor bristled, thrown off by Zane’s bluntness. “You spent more time with the Groves than you did with us. So tell me—if that’s the case, why not just stay in Capital City and be a proper son-in-law to your in-laws?”

Zane said nothing, jaw set.

Victor pressed on. “You married their daughter’s memory, so at least act the part. Besides, the Groves still have two daughters—you could always…”

Zane’s patience snapped. “If you called me here at this hour just to talk about this, I’m leaving.”

“Zane!” Victor released a long sigh. “Just stay out of Jason’s mess.”

Zane looked genuinely puzzled. “I’ve never interfered in his business.”

But Zane was in no mood to explain. He left without looking back, the anger simmering just beneath his calm exterior.

Are they all blind?

Why does everyone assume Jason’s the one tangled up with her?

Is he really so old now that he’s not even considered a candidate for the role of the ‘other man’?

***

Ryan’s request for visitation was approved in record time.

He arrived bearing a thermos of warm porridge, lovingly made by Summer.

Elara had coughed up blood the day before; her face was pale, her lips colorless. She managed only a sip or two before her stomach rebelled, and she pushed the bowl away with a trembling hand.

Ryan’s expression was grave.

“Your uncle says you’re to stay here until you’re cleared. He won’t let you go back to that place again. But the real problem is still those sneakers—they found the victim’s blood on them, and there are fibers from your socks. The pressure coming down now—it’s almost certainly Ellis’s people pulling strings in the background. This time, you’ve really run into a brick wall.”