To Love a Shadow To Be the Sun novel Chapter 4

Yves Caldwell was drenched in sweat. What did he do to deserve being dragged into this by Mrs. Vincent, out of nowhere?

"Yves Caldwell, step outside," Brian said coolly.-

"Yes, sir." Yves slipped out as fast as he could.

Elara couldn't just blurt out Lina's name and confront Brian directly. With a man like him, she knew that every move—timing, tone, and strategy—had to be precise. One misstep and he'd only withdraw further, leaving her even more in the dark.

She watched his profile in silence. He didn't speak, so neither did she.

After a moment, Brian's voice softened, "I'm not interested in arguing with you. If something's bothering you, just say it plainly. But I expect you to be calm and rational, not throwing childish tantrums."

Elara let out a cold laugh.

So now, because he'd labeled her as "petulant," he could use his position to control her, and it would all seem perfectly justified.

"I looked at your spending records. For the past four years, you've spent quite a lot in Oslo."

The warmth in Brian's eyes vanished instantly. "Who gave you permission to go through my accounts?"

Elara mustered her courage and smiled.

"If I hadn't checked, how would I have discovered that every time Mr. Vincent traveled for work—no matter whether it was to Europe or North America—he always found a way to pass through Oslo at the end?"

The evidence was right there. If he'd never done anything wrong, if Lina really were just his stepsister, why not simply explain?

But instead, Brian reached out and gripped her chin.

Elara's heart skipped a beat. Was he actually going to hurt her?

A flicker of coldness passed over Brian's face, but then, as his fingers brushed her pale lips, he gave a low, almost amused chuckle.

"Sweetheart, who's been feeding you these stories?"

Elara's eyelashes fluttered. She said nothing about the photos, keeping silent to protect whoever had sent them.

"You're caught with lipstick on your collar, and you don't even have the guts to admit it?"

Brian's expression hardened as he released her chin.

He wasn't known for his patience, but he rarely let Elara see the sharper edges of his temper.

Brian didn't give him a chance to tiptoe around the issue. "You always say Aunt Mildred is gentle and sweet, Dad. Funny how she turned into a prizefighter today. I suppose all that ‘grace' you're so proud of is just her way of picking fights with my wife?"

Elara blinked in surprise.

Just minutes ago, they'd been at each other's throats, and Brian was still simmering with anger. Now he was standing up to his own father for her?

She felt confused. If he didn't care about her, why bother defending her?

Gareth's face paled.

"You know she's not very educated, and she's always been a bit naïve. She was just trying to help out a friend and thought Elara being moved to a regular room meant she was fine. That's why she overreacted. I've already given her a stern talking-to."

Brian didn't respond.

Gareth stepped closer. "Both sides were at fault, but Elara, how could you raise your hand against an elder? And so harshly, too."

Brian's gaze sharpened. "So what are you suggesting, Dad?"

Gareth hesitated, then said, "I think it would be best if my daughter-in-law apologized to her mother-in-law and admitted she was wrong."