To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 83

Protecting Lina was their job, so it was inevitable that Elara would have to take the fall.

Just as Elara's wrists were twisted behind her back, Lina snatched her purse and tore it open. The contents spilled out all over the pavement—keys, lipstick, and her phone.

"Let me go!" Elara shouted, struggling against the bodyguards' grip, powerless as Lina, in her feigned panic, ground her stiletto heel right through the phone's screen. The sound of shattering glass was sharp and final.

By the time Brian arrived, the scene had shifted to the curb outside. Elara sat on the edge of a planter, clutching what was left of her phone, her gaze distant and unreadable. Lina, meanwhile, huddled in the back of the car, pale and shaking uncontrollably.

The bodyguard reported to Brian, "We've already given Lina her medication, sir." Not a word about Elara.

Brian's first instinct was to check on Elara, but before he could take a step, Lina suddenly slammed her head against the car window with a thud.

He didn't hesitate. He jumped into the car and caught her shoulders, holding her steady.

Lina shook her head frantically, words tumbling out in a shaky rush. "I'm sorry, Brian. I didn't mean to upset Elara. I shouldn't have come. I just… I saw her with Dr. Chamberlain…"

Brian was a shrewd man. If you spell out a hint, it loses its power. Lina knew when to stop; she clamped her mouth shut and turned away, letting her behavior say the rest. She'd seen something she shouldn't have.

Brian's eyes darkened as he glanced back at Elara. He gripped Lina's shoulders. "It's over now. Calm down. Did you take the full dose? Can you settle down on your own?"

"I—I can…" Lina gasped, struggling for breath, her lips tinged with blue.

Brian frowned and signaled to the bodyguard. The man stepped forward and bent down.

"Take Mrs. Vincent home," Brian instructed quietly. "Don't let her leave the house until I return."

At his words, Lina collapsed into Brian's arms, trembling.

The car shot toward the hospital like an arrow.

"I never meant to interrupt, but when Elara saw me, she started shouting. She said it was fine for me to spend time with you every day, but if she wanted to meet someone else, suddenly it was a problem…"

She'd started the conversation to stir up trouble, but as Lina spoke, she realized Brian's attention had drifted.

"Brian…" Lina suddenly clung to his arm. "Please, help me talk to Elara. Tell her not to misunderstand me. I'm scared."

Brian came back to himself and gently removed her hands from his arm. "What are you afraid of?"

Tears streamed down Lina's face. "Your grandmother already hates me. If she hears Elara resents me too, my mother and I won't stand a chance in this family."

Everyone knew just how ruthless the old woman could be—her rivals from years past could attest to that.

Brian patted her back. "Don't worry. Elara knows where the lines are. She only argues with me at home—she'd never let my grandmother find out."