To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 61

Brian gently patted the woman in his arms, his voice a soothing whisper.

"It's all right now. I'm here. Don't be afraid…"

"Brother…"

Lina clung to the front of Brian's shirt, burying her face deep against his chest. Her sobs were raw and wrenching, her whole body trembling like a leaf caught in an autumn wind.

Brian held her tightly, never letting go, murmuring comfort again and again.

Suddenly, the wail of an ambulance cut through the night, interrupting Lina's cries.

Brian's brow tightened. "Who called an ambulance?"

"I did." Elara stood in the doorway, arms crossed, her gaze icy as she watched them. "Sorry if the first responders showed up before you'd had your fill of hugging."

Brian's eyes darkened, his voice sharp with barely restrained anger.

"Jealousy has its limits. Are you proud of yourself? Look what you've done—pushed her to the brink. Does that make you happy?"

Elara chuckled at that, her smile mocking. "Honestly, I'm a little surprised by my own power. Maybe I should be proud."

"Elara!" Brian's tone was thunderous. "Apologize to her. Now."

Elara smirked, mouthing, "Go to hell," before turning on her heel and walking away.

Mrs. Archer hurried up the stairs, a coat thrown over her nightgown.

"Mr. Vincent, it's not just the ambulance—there are police cars out front, too. Someone called and said… someone here tried to take their own life."

Rage surged in Brian's eyes, but for once, he was left speechless.

…

Unfazed by the glittering lights of Platinum Bay, Elara slipped into a fresh set of clothes and left.

She wandered the quiet streets, the loneliness of midnight pressing in until it nearly swallowed her. Eventually, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number.

It took two tries before anyone answered.

Summer's voice was groggy, muffled by sleep. "Listen, bitch, you'd better crawl back into your grave, or I'll—"

"Summer, the last time Brian went to Aalborg to take care of Lina, I was pushed off the pier here. Nearly died. Now that I think of it, I never actually celebrated making it out alive. Will you have a drink with me?"

Summer felt her throat tighten. She sat down beside Elara and drained the rest of her open can in one go.

She drank so fast she choked, her eyes watering, but she just turned her head and let out an exaggerated burp.

"Cheers, I guess. This stuff is godawful… Only you could talk me into drinking it. Next time, let's pick a better brand."

Elara had spent four years as a housewife—always obedient, never even setting foot in a bar. She honestly had no idea what good beer tasted like.

Summer grimaced at the bitterness but didn't complain.

Elara looked at her. "You think I'm hopeless, too, don't you?"

Summer shook her head so hard it was almost comical. "No, no, no, no—"

Elara didn't take offense. She popped open another can.

"If you want to laugh, go ahead. My life's a joke anyway."