To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 40

Especially those companies backing Miss Calloway's little escapades—it was practically throwing money down the drain.

But Brian only smiled faintly.

"Let her have her fun," he said.

Elara was penniless now; she couldn't afford to cut ties with him. If Miss Calloway wanted to help her spend his money faster, Brian was more than happy to watch.

After speaking, he dialed Elara's number.

"Where are you?" he asked.

Elara had just left Ignition Dynamics and was about to get into Summer's car.

"I'll be wherever you want me to be," she replied.

"So obedient?" Brian sounded in unusually good spirits.

Elara stayed silent and slid into the passenger seat.

Brian pretended not to know she was out and about. "Wait for me at the hospital. I'll pick you up at five thirty and we'll have dinner at the old house."

"Okay."

Hearing her so compliant, Brian felt a strange sense of nostalgia, as though he'd been transported to another life.

He suddenly wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and hold her tight.

"The five o'clock meeting—you're in charge. Unless it's urgent, don't bother me."

With those instructions to Yves Caldwell, Brian grabbed a still-warm shortbread from his desk and headed for the door.

Just then, Yves's phone rang.

After answering, he rushed toward the elevator.

"Mr. Vincent, Miss Vincent fainted at the cemetery. She woke up after first aid, but she's refusing to let the ambulance take her to the hospital."

Brian's brow furrowed as he listened.

Elara had only been in the car a few minutes when Brian called again.

"Something just came up. I won't make it in time."

Elara absentmindedly brushed a hand over her stomach, catching her own gaze in the passenger-side mirror. Her expression was calm, her eyes impossibly deep.

"In two weeks, it'll be our fourth wedding anniversary. I plan to give them a little surprise."

After they received that "gift," Brian would have no reason left to refuse a divorce.

…

Vincent Manor.

Brian arrived only twenty minutes after Elara.

He entered the house openly with Lina by his side, making it clear to everyone that there was nothing secretive about their relationship.

Nanette, however, was overcome with emotion, tears shimmering in her eyes. "I knew it—Brian would never abandon Lina."

Lina followed behind Brian, quiet and composed, showing no reaction to her mother's words.

"Where's Grandma?" Brian asked, as if he hadn't heard Nanette at all, handing his coat to Elara.

She took it from him. His familiar cologne lingered on the fabric, but now mingled with a faint, fresh citrus scent—Lina's perfume.