To Love a Shadow To Be the Sun novel Chapter 197

Elara's gaze was cool and distant as she looked at him.

"I know you have connections everywhere, but right now I'm asking you—as a person—to give the victim a little justice. Can you do that?"

Brian's lips curled into a smile, though there was an unreadable glint in his eyes.

"If I can't do what I want, what was the point of clawing my way here? Was it all just for you?"

His words left Elara silent.

Everything she'd endured on this journey—it all came down to the fact that she had no backing, yet was forced into this brutal high-society game.

"Elara, the ‘Mrs. Vincent' title may be a chain, but it's also power. If you wanted, you could see Nanette locked away for good. But if you give up that name, you're just a nobody—nothing left but to swallow your grievances."

Elara's shoulders slumped.

But a few moments later, she lifted her chin and met his gaze, the stubbornness in her eyes undimmed.

"I don't care about being Mrs. Vincent. I don't regret divorcing you, either. Brian, after four years together, I finally realized we're just not right for each other."

With that, she turned to go.

But Brian grabbed her arm, pulling her back.

He misjudged his strength—she stumbled straight into his chest.

The scent of cedar and warmth, so achingly familiar, filled her senses.

It used to be a smell she loved.

Elara's instincts screamed at her. She shoved him away and, without hesitation, slapped him hard across the face.

"It's over between us. Don't you understand boundaries?"

A flush of red rose on Brian's cheek. Dangerous shadows flickered in his eyes, but when he looked at her again, they were replaced by something unfathomable.

"It's pouring outside. How did you get here?"

His words made her realize how heavy the rain had become.

How had she gotten here? Her car was parked near Celestial River Estates; she'd taken a cab the rest of the way.

"Stay. You have nowhere urgent to be today."

Elara opened her mouth to protest, but Brian cut her off with a mocking smile. "Behave and stay tonight. Maybe then I'll think about staying out of Nanette's mess."

When she came downstairs, she was surprised to find Brian back—and making breakfast.

"Eat before you go."

He slipped off his apron; his refined face showed not a trace of fatigue from the kitchen.

Elara said nothing and sat at the table.

She took a couple bites. It tasted good.

"If you can cook, why did you always make me do it whenever Lorraine took a day off?" she asked.

Brian smiled. "You loved me. You wanted to cook for me. Why doubt that now?"

Right. She'd been too easy, too willing.

Elara fell silent, focusing on her breakfast.

"Where are you headed? I'll drive you," Brian offered.

She was about to refuse, when the sound of a car door slamming outside on the lawn interrupted her.