To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 318

“How could she let another man hold her like that—and even hit you?”

Brian masked the sharp pain in his eyes, calmly moving her hand away as she tried to touch his cheek.

“Come on. Your cover’s blown. The police will be here any minute, so we can't stay for dinner.”

Seeing how drained Brian looked, Lina grew excited.

He had pushed Elara away with his own hands, all for her. That was proof enough—she’d finally carved out a place in his heart.

“Brian,” she blurted, clutching his hand, voice urgent. “I don’t want to see you so passive. I’ll find out who’s really backing Ellis.”

Brian squeezed her hand, silent but firm, deepening their sense of solidarity in hardship.

But beneath his lowered lashes, his eyes were cold and calculating—a glacial indifference that betrayed nothing.

The prey had finally entered the cage. But his Elara...

Zane fetched the first-aid kit from the car and dabbed disinfectant on the scrape across Elara’s hand.

As the cotton swab brushed her skin, she didn’t make a sound.

If it were one of the Grove girls, she’d be pouting and complaining about the pain by now.

“You don’t have to tough it out. If it hurts, just say so.”

Elara pulled her hand back, now patched up. “I’m not that delicate. A little fall is nothing.”

Zane put away the kit, understanding: she was too independent—or maybe, they just weren’t close enough for her to let down her guard.

“You just happened to be here for dinner, huh?” Elara clearly didn’t buy it.

Of course, that wasn’t the case.

He’d heard Jason mention she’d skipped their dinner, so he’d grabbed the first excuse he could think of and hurried over.

But Zane wasn’t about to confess that.

“So, you ruined my dinner plans. Don’t you think you owe me a meal?”

Elara cocked her head, considering. “Whatever I can afford is nowhere near The Atheneum. Even if I offer, would you dare eat it?”

He turned to Zane, sizing up his expensive clothes—no ordinary customer, that much was clear.

“Are you her boyfriend?”

Zane hesitated.

Elara set her spoon down, but the owner ignored her, pressing on, “You’re not doing your job, you know. Look at her—she’s lost weight!”

Elara was about to protest, but Zane simply nodded. “Got it. I’ll take better care of her.”

The owner left them alone, chuckling as he went to greet other guests.

“Does this suit your taste?” Elara asked.

Zane nodded. “At first, I thought you brought me here to prove how far apart our worlds are. But after a few bites, I realized—you just wanted to share something you love.”

He called out her test and gently dismissed it, as if to say: I see through your guard, but I don’t care about the gap between us.

“The first time I thought the food here was good,” she said, raising her hand and pointing toward a nearby trash bin, “was right over there.”