To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 81

"Is cheating only wrong if you get caught?" Summer asked, her eyes fixed on Brian.

Brian said nothing, just stared at her with such an intimidating presence she felt as if he could see straight through her.

Just as Summer was about to crumble under the pressure, Charles arrived, looking flustered.

Seeing his little sister visibly trembling, her shoulders shaking like a leaf, he snapped, "What are you doing here, scaring her for no reason?"

Brian closed his eyes briefly, his tone clipped. "I have something to ask her."

Charles stepped in front of Summer, shielding her. "Then ask gently. She's easily spooked."

Brian nearly rolled his eyes, then turned his attention to Summer. "Has she been close to any men here lately?"

Clutching the back of Charles's jacket, Summer found her courage again.

"So what if she has? You're the one playing twisted family games—she can have an affair if she wants. Who are you to—" Disgusting, isn't it?

Before she could get the words out, Charles clapped a hand over her mouth.

"Hey, let it go. Married couples fighting is just their thing—you don't need to stir the pot," he muttered.

Brian arched a brow, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "This is your sweet, delicate little sister, Charles?"

Charles met his gaze without flinching. "My sister? Didn't you used to say she was our sister when we were kids?"

Summer pinched him. "I don't want someone like him as my brother, Charles!"

He lowered his voice. "Easy, it's just for now. He's got no reason to lay a hand on you, and even less to go after your brother."

Summer grumbled under her breath.

Brian's patience was wearing thin. "Charles, I'm considering investing here, improving your office space."

"No way," Summer cut in before Charles could speak, "the shareholders would never agree to that."

Elara had been working hard to put distance between herself and Brian after their separation; the last thing she needed was for his name to be tied to her workplace—it would only make it harder for her to break free.

Brian narrowed his eyes. "Which shareholders?"

Summer hesitated for a moment. "Elara. And me."

"Can you really empathize with them?"

Elara's voice softened. "People without family drift just as much as any stray. It's not some mystical connection—just a feeling."

Chuck blinked, taken aback, and hurried to apologize. "I'm sorry—I didn't mean to belittle your kindness, I—"

She waved it off. "You only learn how resilient life can be when you spend time with these little creatures. If you're uncomfortable, Dr. Chamberlain, I'll just come by on my own from now on."

Chuck looked mortified.

At that moment, Lina's cheerful voice rang out behind them.

"Dr. Chamberlain, Elara, are you two on a date?"

Elara had just pulled out her phone to make a call, but paused at Lina's words, her phone forgotten in her hand. She and Chuck turned together to face her.

Chuck was flustered. "Of course not, Miss Vincent—don't start rumors."

Lina just grinned. "Well, my sister-in-law's beautiful, and Dr. Chamberlain's single. It'd be perfectly normal if he had a crush on her."