To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 48

From loving that scent to growing to hate it—it only took a single Lina.

Elara tried to take off her coat, but Brian pulled the front panels closed and held them tight.

"Lina's having a rough time right now, both at home and at work. I gave her some jewelry just to cheer her up a bit. Don't read too much into it, okay?"

Elara lowered her gaze, refusing to respond.

To worry, she'd have to care about him first.

But her heart had already been carved out, piece by piece—it just hadn't dawned on him yet.

Lina simply watched as Brian wrapped his arm around Elara and led her away.

Words left unsaid, reluctant to let go.

"Miss Vincent." Yves Caldwell's polite smile cut off her line of sight. "Mr. Vincent asked me to stay behind. If you need anything, just let me know."

"Thank you, Assistant Caldwell."

A shadow flickered in Lina's eyes.

…

Brian noticed Elara had grown much quieter.

In the past, whenever she sat in his passenger seat, she'd chatter on and on, telling him about every little thing she'd seen that day.

But this drive, both there and back, she sat in complete silence—like a statue.

"My aunt's illness has been confirmed. Lina wants to stay by her bedside and do her duty. Once her condition stabilizes, we'll send Lina away."

But Nanette's illness would probably never "stabilize."

Elara arched an eyebrow but said nothing.

Brian caught that tiny movement.

"Elara!"

He raised his voice.

Only then did she react.

She managed a perfunctory smile. "It's your business. Do whatever you think is best."

Her tone was so understanding that it made Brian even more irritated.

"Are you done making a scene?" he demanded, barely containing his anger.

Elara dug her nails into the leather seat, uncertain. "What scene am I making?"

Brian fell silent.

If he said another word, he'd probably explode.

So this was his way of smoothing things over after she'd caught him giving Lina jewelry last night.

She had to admit—Brian really knew how to keep the peace at home.

The only problem was, he was born in the wrong era.

Nowadays, it's one husband, one wife—and Elara had no tolerance for rivals.

Without a second thought, she listed the hairpin for sale online.

Mrs. Archer was even more stunned.

For the next two days, both Elara and Brian were busy.

Despite both leaving early and coming home late, they somehow managed to avoid running into each other entirely.

Each night, Elara barricaded her bedroom door with the sofa and slept soundly.

Until the day the hairpin sold—for a six-figure sum.

Mrs. Archer couldn't hold it in any longer. She shared the news with Brian when he came home late from work.

"Mr. Vincent, you clearly still have feelings for Miss Vincent. But honestly, I don't think she has any love left for you."

Brian's jaw tightened, a muscle pulsing in his temple, his face cold as ice.

When Elara came out of the shower, she was startled to find someone standing by her window.