To Love a Shadow To Be the Sun novel Chapter 139

Elara took a warm shower, changed into fresh clothes, and forced herself downstairs, though her body still felt weak.

In a quiet corner of the café, Ryan waved her over.

She approached, taking a seat across from him.

"Want something to drink?" Ryan asked, then quickly added, "Nothing with caffeine."

She tasted only bitterness in her mouth. Earlier, back in her room, she'd managed only a few spoonfuls of bland soup. Now, she ordered a glass of orange juice and a slice of cheesecake.

Ryan's gaze lingered on the way she picked at her cake, then he turned his attention back to the documents in front of him.

"This agreement doesn't just split your joint assets. It also gives you half of everything Brian earned from SiliconCrest Group during the last four years of your marriage. I believe that's what you deserve."

Elara swallowed a mouthful of tasteless cake and said nothing.

Ryan slid a napkin toward her, a wry smile on his lips. "You're a grown woman, yet you still manage to get frosting all over your mouth when you eat cake."

Elara looked up at him, startled.

She'd always been messy with desserts, never noticing when cream gathered at the corners of her lips or smudged across her cheek. Her fingers twitched, brushing at her face.

Ryan Linden had teased her with those exact words countless times before, and every time, he'd gently wipe her clean with a napkin.

Ryan met her searching gaze and hesitated, then quietly set the napkin aside. "Let's talk more after you finish eating."

Elara barely had an appetite; she was only eating to get some energy back, hoping it would help her fever subside. She took a sip of sharp, cold orange juice—finally, something with flavor.

She left the rest of the cake untouched.

"Vice President Lawrence," she said coolly, "even if no lawyer will take my case, I'll still divorce Brian. My affairs are none of your concern."

Ryan frowned. "Brian's determined to drag things out until you give up. Without legal help, do you really think you can get out?"

Elara watched him leave, his disappointment heavy in the air. She bit her lip, sighing quietly.

There couldn't possibly be two people in the world who looked and spoke exactly alike. Why wouldn't he just admit he was Ryan Linden?

Did he really mean to turn his back on his own mother, his grandfather?

Elara stood, and a wave of dizziness washed over her.

Luckily, Summer caught her just in time.

"I told you to rest upstairs. Why are you wandering around?" Summer scolded, steadying her.

She noticed the half-finished cup of coffee on the table and immediately frowned. "Brian was here?"

Elara gave a faint smile. "I won't let him use me. Do you really think he cares whether I live or die?"