To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 55

Elara followed the direction Lina indicated and saw Brian turning toward her.

His eyes burned with a cold, barely restrained fury.

Bracing herself, Elara waited for him to explode.

"You—" Brian yanked at his tie in frustration, trying to rein in his temper. "Where are you hurt?"

Apparently, he was holding himself back from making a scene in public.

Elara brushed the messy hair from her forehead and tucked it behind her ear. "Lucky me—I'm still alive."

To Brian, her words sounded like a slap in the face.

"Why didn't you go to St. Mary's Hospital? Why was your phone off? Why—"

His gaze dropped to her left hand, to the finger where her ring should have been.

"Where's your ring? Don't tell me you've lost our wedding band again?"

Elara only realized that morning that the replica ring had gone missing. The loss stung for a few minutes—she'd been hoping to sell it online for some extra cash, and now that chance was gone.

She lowered her eyes. "My phone died and I couldn't charge it—I couldn't see well enough. Someone kind gave me a ride here. Mr. Vincent was busy saving your sister, so I didn't get a chance to say anything."

She took a deep breath, looking tired.

"As for the ring, I must've lost it at the photo studio. I was too busy trying to stay alive to worry about it. Or would you rather I died to keep your precious ring safe?"

When had a ring become more important to him than her life?

Brian bristled at her words, ready to step closer, but Lina grabbed his arm.

"Brian, we're in a hospital. Talk to her properly."

She turned to Elara with a gentle look. "He's just worried about you. He didn't sleep at all last night. Please, don't make him any more upset."

Elara simply nodded, her voice steady. "Right. You really are the perfect sister—so understanding, so caring. You'd make a wonderful Mrs. Vincent."

"Come home. Now."

Brian shook off Lina's hand, seized Elara by the wrist, and dragged her away.

"Miss Calloway, whoever's loved owns everything. If my brother truly cared about your friend, he wouldn't have chosen me in a life-or-death moment. Face it. Tell your friend to play her role as my stand-in. If she has to die for me, my brother will make sure her spendthrift old father is well taken care of."

Summer seethed. "Ugh. Trashy people like you deserve each other. Why don't you go lock yourselves up somewhere and stop ruining everyone else's lives?"

Lina's smile barely flickered. "Thank you for your blessing."

Summer was speechless.

Some people really are beyond shame.

Back at Platinum Bay, Brian dragged Elara straight to the bedroom and, without a word, started pulling at her clothes.

Elara shoved his hands away, clutching her blouse, her pale face twisted with anger.

"Enough, Brian. I'm not some object you can use and discard at will."

Her words finally snapped him out of it.

He'd only wanted to check if she was hurt, but he shouldn't have gone about it like this.