To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 344

Brian forced a smile, keeping his composure as he continued, “Ever since I hinted to Elara that my hands were tied, we never even discussed it. Still, without a single word, we both played along, pretending we’d fallen out, just to throw off anyone with ulterior motives—until their plans finally fell apart. Even Mr. Lawrence deserves some credit for that.”

Zane, of course, could hear the smug pride in his tone, as if he and Elara shared some profound, unspoken bond.

But he didn’t rise to the bait. Instead, Zane’s voice remained steady, each word clear and deliberate. “Elara’s loyal. She only went along with your scheme because she owed your family a favor. Don’t mistake her gratitude for lingering affection. You—”

He reached out and, with effortless confidence, took Elara’s hand in his own.

“—make it hard for us to figure out what to do with someone as obsessive as you.”

For the first time, Brian’s mask slipped. His eyes locked onto their entwined hands, and his chest rose and fell as he struggled to keep his composure.

At last, he gave a sharp, bitter laugh and turned to Elara. “Do you even know who he is? Do you realize how complicated he can be? If you stay with him, you’ll never get a real place in his life. Think about it. Is it him you want? Or me?”

Elara barely hesitated. She leaned into Zane’s arm, her voice gentle yet unwavering. “I’ve told you before—I don’t do ultimatums. Standing here with him today is a choice I’ve already made.”

It was as if Brian had been struck a thousand times. He swayed, visibly shaken.

“If you think choosing me would be a mistake, then picking him is the biggest mistake of all!”

He finished with a chilling, “You’ll regret this,” twisted into a smirk before turning and storming out.

Suddenly, the entryway was empty, save for Elara and Zane.

She looked up at him, about to ask why he’d come so suddenly, only to be swept into his arms as he pulled her close.

His lips met hers—warm, insistent, and impossible to resist.

Just as Elara was starting to think she might actually pass out from the kiss, Zane finally let her go, his voice low against her ear. “Come with me. I want to show you something.”

“But I haven’t eaten yet. I’m starving,” she protested.

Zane tapped her on the forehead. “You deliberately skipped dinner just to make me take you out? That’s not taking care of yourself.”

Without letting her protest further, he scooped her up and carried her away.

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