To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 38

Elara cut her off, her face unreadable. "Didn't you get fifty thousand from the relocation payout? Use that for now."

Rose stared at her, stunned. "You… you're just going to leave us like this?"

Without a word, Elara opened her purse and took out a jade bracelet, holding it out to Rose.

Rose glanced at it but didn't take it. "It's so old-fashioned. I wouldn't be caught dead wearing that."

"It's not for you to wear. Sell it," Elara replied evenly. "Use the money to get Grandpa a decent place to live."

She paused, then added, "Doesn't need to be big. But make sure it's somewhere comfortable for an elderly man."

Rose finally took the bracelet, turning it over in her hand. The quality was obvious—enough to buy a modest condo in a middle-class neighborhood. But if she wanted something fancier, she'd still need a loan.

"Is this really enough? All our money goes to the hospital. Once your grandpa's home, how are we supposed to get by?"

What she really meant: she was hoping to squeeze a little more out of Elara.

But Elara knew exactly what the bracelet was worth.

"After you buy a place, there'll be money left over. Grandpa's medical bills come first. As for daily expenses—you don't have a mortgage, no car payments, no kids to support. A few thousand a month is plenty for an ordinary household. I'll give you another fifty thousand for living expenses. That's more than enough."

Rose's mouth opened, then snapped shut.

Fifty thousand? She could blow through that in one visit to the salon—how was that supposed to last?

"If it's not enough, get a job," Elara said coolly, not bothering to look at her as she turned and walked away.

Two hours later, Elara's figure appeared at the entrance of Eastern Kingston Tech Park.

"What are you doing here?"

Summer shot to her feet, suddenly energized, as if a switch had flipped.

Elara grinned. "Returning the favor. Thought I'd come see you at your lowest."

Summer clenched her jaw, forcing a mocking smile. "Your husband's mistress just came back into the picture, and you're not busy clinging to your own little slice of luxury? You still have time to gloat over my company?"

Elara crossed her arms, amusement flickering in her eyes. "You've been obsessed with my life for four years now—sending me photos, making sure I know my husband has some long-lost sweetheart, dropping little reminders in our alumni group chats that women shouldn't let themselves go. After all your concern, how could I not drop by to check on you now that Ignition Dynamics is broke?"

Summer's face flushed, shifting from red to white and back again.

Finally, she gave up pretending and slumped back into her chair. "Fine. I'm bankrupt. This is me, failing. Go ahead—snap a pic and post it. Consider your revenge complete."