To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 70

Elara shook her head. "I'm certain the person who pushed me off the pier and the one who tried to throw me out the studio window are the same. But none of the three tonight were him."

She remembered—a scar should run across the back of that man's hand.

"So, if you divorce Brian, you won't have to play target practice anymore?" Summer asked.

Elara nodded.

"Well, looks like it's almost over, then."

Summer couldn't help but wonder what kind of parting gift Elara would give that jerk Brian on their fourth wedding anniversary.

…

When Elara returned to Platinum Bay, she found Brian waiting in the living room.

Surprisingly, Lina was nowhere to be seen—a rare occurrence.

Brian started to speak as soon as she walked in, but Elara ignored him and headed straight for the kitchen.

He hesitated, Adam's apple bobbing, then followed after her, abandoning whatever words he'd planned.

Elara opened the fridge, grabbed a tray of ice, and wrapped a handful in a towel to press against her face.

"Did you get hurt?"

Brian reached out to check her cheek, but Elara turned away, putting three solid yards between them.

He let his hand drop and sighed. "I was supposed to take Lina to her therapy appointment tonight, but your friend called and I couldn't leave her."

Elara didn't even blink. She kept the ice pressed to her skin, unwilling to spare him a glance.

Her total indifference clearly got under Brian's skin.

"She's sick, can't you show a little understanding?"

That actually made Elara laugh. Slowly, she lifted her eyelids to look at him.

"I'm just the human shield for you two, right? I take all the hits, shoulder every bit of danger. Isn't that enough? Now you want me to smile and watch you two cuddle, pretend I believe whatever garbage excuse you come up with…"

Her grip on the towel tightened, knuckles turning white.

It was over.

She shook her head and turned to leave.

Brian had just started to understand when his phone rang.

It was Gareth.

After the call, Brian grabbed her hand.

"Go wake Lina. We're going to the hospital."

Elara paused, guessing Nanette's condition must've worsened.

They were still married, after all. Whether it was some witchcraft or just bad luck, she had no choice but to go.

But stepping into that woman's room? She'd rather not.

Elara gave a breezy little smile. "You two already embrace in public. Are you really worried about appearances now?"