To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 65

"Has Commissioner Walker managed to keep up his connections in the prison?"

Without warning, Elara flung a glass of water straight into the other woman's face.

"You think you can win men over with that act? Who do you think you are?"

Daly snapped, hurling her own teacup back at Elara and springing to her feet in fury.

The heavy porcelain struck Elara's hand with a sharp crack, leaving an angry bruise across her knuckles.

The village head, mindful of Elara's status, hurried to smooth things over. "Come on, sis, women are always a handful. Don't stoop to her level."

Daly glanced at Elara, recognizing that as Mrs. Vincent, she was untouchable today.

Not that any woman had ever managed to push her luck with Daly and gotten away with it.

"Fine, then. This is a job for her husband anyway. Let's see if he's willing to throw away business interests for a woman like her."

Elara forced a thin smile, biting back her anger. "And what if he signs off—will that be enough for you?"

Daly only tossed back, "You'll find out soon enough," before stalking out of the room.

Elara's composure crumpled the moment they were gone, her back slumping in defeat.

If she was honest, she knew Brian would always choose the company over her. She never doubted it for a second.

...

That night, when Elara returned to Platinum Bay, Brian had gotten home just ten minutes before her.

Lina had dragged him into the living room, insisting he finish a bowl of fruit before he could escape to his study.

Brian, already on edge after days of tension with Elara, was irritable and distracted, picking at the fruit in silence.

Just then, Elara walked in.

She barely spared a glance at the pair nestled together on the sofa before heading straight for the stairs. But Brian's voice sliced through the room. "Stop right there."

His mood was foul; the words came out sharp as a whip.

Elara paused, turning to look at him. "What's the point of this little show? Is it only fun for you if you've got an audience?"

"Elara!" Brian exploded, grabbing her wrist. "This has nothing to do with her. Stop taking it out on her."

His grip landed right on the bruise.

He'd grabbed her hard, and Elara inhaled sharply from the pain.

Only then did Brian notice the ugly mark on her hand, loosening his hold in surprise.

"Who did this to you?"

Elara jerked free, seizing the moment. "What does it matter to you? Go comfort your sister."

That night, she locked her bedroom door and threw the bolt for good measure.

Brian, shut out and seething, spent the night pacing his study, the lamplight burning until dawn.

Lina stayed up as well, bringing him a glass of warm milk.

"Brian, I know you're upset about what happened to Elara, but Daly's not someone we can ignore. She's got connections everywhere, and the company's about to launch a new project. If Elara doesn't sign the settlement, it could hurt the business, and you know how the board is—the old guard will use any excuse to make trouble."