To Love a Shadow, To Be the Sun novel Chapter 9

The bracelet in Elara's hand felt scalding, as if it might burn right through her skin.

She lowered her eyes, forcing herself to steady her voice. "Please tell Grandma Prescott… thank you."

John Prescott just smiled and gave a polite nod.

…

Brian had a pile of work waiting for him. After settling Elara into her hospital room and making sure she was comfortable, he got ready to head back to the office.

"I checked with the doctor. In another four or five days, your stitches will be fine. Be good, okay? I'll come visit you after work tomorrow."

No sooner had he finished speaking than his phone rang—a ringtone different from the usual one.

Elara noticed immediately; just as the screen went dark, she glimpsed Lina's name.

In four years of marriage, she'd never had a special ringtone on Brian's phone. But Lina did.

How ironic.

"So, even your ringtones have a hierarchy," she said quietly.

Brian set his phone aside. "It's just a label. Don't read too much into it."

She gave a bitter half-smile. "Don't read into it? Should I wait for your dear sister to wave a pregnancy test in my face so she can gloat properly?"

Brian's jaw tightened. "You're being ridiculous. I'm not traveling for work any time soon—I'll stay with you for a while."

Elara let out a soft laugh. "She's the real wife, I'm just the mistress, and the time you spend with me is her charity?"

"Elara! Mrs. Vincent isn't some crazy woman, and I don't want to argue with you. When you're thinking clearly, maybe you can figure out where you went wrong."

He turned and left, his expression cold.

"Grandma said I should support you in everything. If I ever fall short, please let me know."

Back then, Brian even smiled and pinched her cheek. "You're wonderful. I'm very happy with you."

Everyone said Brian was cold as stone, impossible to warm.

But in those four years, he'd given her stability. He'd rush home if she caught a cold just to make sure she took her medicine. After work dinners, he'd bring back her favorite shortbread cookies.

She thought she'd melted the ice.

But hearing Lina's special ringtone, she realized she'd been warming not ice, but a locked door—and she'd never had the key.

"Ma'am, Mr. Vincent has left. You have an IV scheduled for tomorrow morning. You should get some rest."

Elara snapped back to the present. "And you are…?"