To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 85

The bruises on her arm told their own story, dark and angry where the bodyguard had gripped her without mercy. Rope marks, raw and bloody, circled her wrist.

Brian's heart clenched painfully as he turned to the cluster of bodyguards, his gaze sharp and dangerous.

"Which one of you did this?" His voice was icy.

The bodyguards immediately dropped to their knees, terrified.

"They're only a reflection of you," Elara said quietly, her tone almost airy. "The way I'm treated depends entirely on your attitude, doesn't it?"

Brian forced down the anger threatening to crack his composure. "Anyone who disrespects my wife is disrespecting me. Go and accept your punishment," he ordered coldly.

Panic-stricken, the bodyguards scrambled out of the room.

In truth, Elara's words weren't wrong. The bodyguards had been told to protect Miss Vincent as if she were their own eyes—treatment even Mrs. Vincent had never received. So yes, they'd favored Miss Vincent a little. Was that really their fault?

Exhausted, Elara didn't want to argue with him anymore. She just wanted it all to stop.

"Brian, I cared for you without fail for four years. Could you let me go now? Just give me a way out, please?"

"Elara—" Brian reached for her, wrapping his arms around her with trembling caution. "I'm your husband, and I have responsibilities to the Vincent family. I admit, I haven't paid you enough attention lately. But you're my wife. Can't you try to understand, to trust me—"

She pushed him away, cutting him off. "But do you trust me?"

Brian froze.

"Nanette's faking her illness," Elara said quietly. "You and her mother have been played. I don't have the evidence... but would you believe me anyway?"

He was silent for a long moment, then sighed. "Blame me if you want, but don't take it out on the innocent."

So this was what it meant to be truly disappointed, Elara thought. She didn't even have the energy to feel angry anymore.

She stood, her expression cold and distant. "So, are you blind to the pieces of our broken marriage scattered all over the floor? Or do you just refuse to see them?"

Brian's world seemed to collapse in on itself, silent and colorless.

Elara didn't spare him a second glance. She stormed upstairs and slammed the door behind her.

That night, Brian didn't come to the bedroom.

The next morning, Elara was jolted awake by her phone ringing—Chuck's name flashing on the screen.

"When is the retest?"

"Today. At ten, a nurse is coming to collect new samples from Nanette's room and send them off."

After hanging up, Elara called Summer.

Harmony General Hospital, patient ward.

Gareth's face was cold and severe.

"So you're saying your aunt's ovarian cancer is fake? And the low platelet count is fake too? Brian, you're becoming obsessed with whatever Elara tells you."

Brian's expression was unreadable. "This isn't about her. Retesting is just being responsible for Aunt Nanette's health."

Gareth wasn't buying it.

"She didn't delay her surgery on purpose. Her immune system is weak, her bone marrow isn't functioning well. You can't just suspect she's faking it. I'll call Dr. Chamberlain—he can explain."

"I already asked Dr. Chamberlain," Brian replied. "He said all his treatments were based on the test results. That's why I suggested another round of testing. If there's been a misdiagnosis, the medication could actually be harming her."