To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 31

Lina had a point.

There was already tension between her and her sister-in-law. If she just waited outside the hospital and didn't even go in to say hello, it would only come off as rude—and make things worse in the long run.

"I'll go fish my car out of the lake, then."

Yves Caldwell seized the chance to slip away, vanishing before anyone could stop him.

Brian turned and strode out of the hospital.

Lina, unsure what he was up to, quickly hurried after him.

It didn't take long for the two of them to wind up at a cozy little café nearby.

That's when Lina realized—he was there to pick up breakfast for Elara.

Brian ordered some mild soup and a few pastries, all tailored to Elara's preferences. As he turned to leave, he caught Lina eyeing the warm, doughy croissants with barely concealed longing, though she didn't say a word.

His gaze drifted to the bandage wrapped around her wrist. After a moment's hesitation, pity won out.

"Aren't you going to eat?" he asked.

Lina's face lit up at the breakfast spread on the table. She clearly wanted to dig in, but held back out of politeness.

Brian checked his watch. "Go ahead and eat. When your sister-in-law wakes up, she'll probably be hungry."

Lina pushed her bowl of vanilla rice pudding toward him.

"You should eat something too. If you're starving, you won't have the energy to cheer her up."

Brian didn't reply, but quietly sat down across from her.

After breakfast, they made their way back to the hospital room.

But when they opened the door, both froze in place.

The bed was empty. The hospital gown Elara had worn was neatly folded at the foot of the bed.

Realization hit Brian; he reached for his phone to call her.

Halfway through dialing, he remembered—he was still blocked.

His breath grew heavy. Lina stood off to the side, too anxious to speak.

Just then, Mrs. Archer's name flashed on his screen.

"Mr. Vincent, madam came home, but she just picked up a few things and left again. Is she allowed to check out of the hospital?"

Brian pinched the bridge of his nose. "What did she take with her?"

"Her purse, and the bracelet her grandmother gave her. She isn't planning to pawn it and disappear, is she?"

Their eyes met, neither expecting the other.

"What are you doing here at this hour?" the woman asked.

Elara looked a little puffier than usual, but otherwise seemed fine.

"I came to see Grandpa. Is he home?"

Rose Linden had been burned by love long ago, left with a son and no illusions about romance. She'd spent the years since living alone. She didn't have much experience with married life, but the faint dark circles under Elara's eyes told her enough—she was clearly having a rough time with her in-laws.

She stepped aside, letting Elara inside.

"He's napping. His health's been getting worse lately, and..."

Her voice caught in her throat.

"...He can't handle any more stress. Just try to talk about happy things with him, okay?"

Elara lowered her gaze and stepped into the small courtyard, making her way to her grandfather's room as if she'd done it a thousand times.

The old man was sleeping, his bedside crowded with bottles of medication.

He'd had heart problems for years, and at his age, surgery was no longer an option. Now, the only thing keeping him alive were his daily pills.