To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 75

Chuck opened his mouth as if to speak, but in the end he simply lowered his gaze and gave her a slight bow.

"I've got patients waiting—let's talk another time. Maybe we'll run into each other again someday."

Elara wasn't surprised by his non-answer. She hadn't expected the truth from him, not after one or two tries.

——

By the time Brian rushed back to Platinum Bay, Mrs. Archer was just stepping out of the master bedroom, the scent of medicinal ointment clinging to her hands.

He was about to ask a question when, behind her, the bedroom door shut with a decisive click—locked, and bolted for good measure.

Mrs. Archer pretended not to notice the cold anger on Brian's face.

"Mr. Vincent, your wife hurt her back. She's already asleep, so it's best if you don't disturb her tonight."

"How bad is it?"

"It's not too serious. She just slipped and fell—banged up her knee too."

Her words sounded casual, but the pointed undertone was unmistakable. She added, "Luckily, the doctor sent over some ointment. Give it a couple days and she'll be fine."

Brian's brows drew together. "Which doctor?"

Mrs. Archer made a show of thinking it over. "Dr. Chamberlain. Your wife said he's a good man—just as good as Dr. Calloway."

Brian's expression darkened further.

Mrs. Archer didn't care one bit. She walked a few steps, then turned back, twisting the knife just a little deeper. "If you have time, you really ought to take your wife up the mountain for a blessing. Lately, she's always getting hurt whenever she goes out alone. I'd hoped she'd be safer with you, but I guess only the Lord can keep her from harm now."

She acted as if she were just offering advice, but every word was aimed straight for Brian's heart.

A husband left on the sidelines—someone even a man like Brian could be scorned.

Elara seemed calm, but that quiet distance was the most dangerous warning sign of all.

A fog crept into Brian's eyes.

——

The next morning, Elara slept in. When she finally came downstairs, Mrs. Archer greeted her with unconcealed delight. "Ma'am, Miss Vincent moved out. First thing this morning, Mr. Vincent told her to pack up, and he took her away himself."

Elara paused for a moment, then turned and went back upstairs. When she came down, she pried the stone out of the box and tossed it, along with its mate, straight into the trash.

"Ma'am, that stone meant so much! You're really throwing it away?" Mrs. Archer was stunned.

Elara dusted her hands off, utterly unconcerned. "Ask him for me: After sharing his bed for four years, is that all I'm worth? Two worthless stones?"

The love was gone—no point pretending. Sentiment didn't pay the bills; money was much more straightforward.

——

At the Ignition Dynamics lab, Elara dove straight into analyzing the battery fragment she'd risked so much to save the night before.

She worked nonstop until afternoon, but her back finally gave out and she collapsed onto the sofa in Summer's office.

Summer, seeing her wince, pulled out a bottle of liniment. "Lift your shirt."

Elara raised an eyebrow. "How'd you know I hurt my back?"

Summer's eyes flickered for a moment. "You've had the worst luck this year—always coming in with a bruise here, a scrape there. I keep a first-aid kit in my office just for you."