To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 51

She'd assumed the two of them would sneak off somewhere for their illicit rendezvous, but to her surprise, Brian had chosen Platinum Bay as the meeting place.

Well, it made sense—under her roof, with Elara as their cover, the pair could carry on without a care in the world.

Catching Brian's warning glance, Elara quickly schooled her expression, lowering her gaze.

"This is your home. You don't need my permission to invite guests."

Her voice was calm, but every word seethed with barely concealed anger.

Lina shifted uncomfortably, guilt written all over her face.

She opened her mouth to say something, but Brian cut her off.

"Lina, have a seat. I'll ask Elara to get you a glass of water."

With that, he took Elara by the hand and led her toward the kitchen.

"Did you think about what I said last night?"

"I didn't object to you letting her stay, did I?" Elara replied, turning away to pour herself some water.

That composed, indifferent act—like nothing had happened—was what troubled Brian most.

He wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"Last night, someone attacked Lina at her apartment. Luckily, the bodyguard reacted quickly, though he hurt his hand. She's just staying at Platinum Bay for a little while, until her mom's surgery is done. Then she'll leave."

Elara took a sip of water. "If Nanette wants to keep her daughter around, I doubt that surgery's happening anytime soon."

Brian frowned. "You think she's faking an illness?"

Elara smiled faintly. "I never said that."

She only wanted a divorce; there was no point arguing right and wrong with him.

"Elara, Lina thinks of me like a brother. She's not trying to provoke you. Letting her stay was my decision. We talked about this last night—I hoped you'd understand."

Elara set her glass down. "So you think I'm holding a grudge against her? That I'd try to set her up?"

Brian hesitated, caught off guard. "No, I don't."

Elara just smiled tightly, pouring herself another drink.

"Brian…"

No one knew when Lina had appeared in the kitchen doorway.

Brian froze for a moment.

"Of course not," Elara replied coolly. "It's room-temperature lemon water. The steam was just for show. Unless you're worried about frostbite from a lukewarm drink?"

She left the two of them standing there and headed upstairs.

Lina's heart sank. Brian was perceptive—would he read too much into this? She hadn't expected Elara to give her a glass of water that wasn't hot. Her carefully constructed mask had slipped, all because of one cup.

"Brian, I…" Lina began tentatively.

"The guest room's ready. Go get some rest," Brian said, his tone noticeably colder.

That night, Elara slept in the master bedroom, Lina in the guest room, and Brian, as usual, in the study.

Lina tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep.

Early the next morning, she knocked on the master bedroom door.

Elara answered, still in her pajamas, hair a little mussed—clearly just out of bed.

Lina instinctively glanced past her, but Brian was nowhere to be seen. Had they really been sleeping in separate rooms all this time?

"Did you need something?" Elara's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.