To Love a Shadow To Be the Sun novel Chapter 52

"Sis, I hope I'm not imposing by moving in. Here, just a little something for you."

With that, Lina offered her a sleekly packaged bottle of shower gel.

"This is a custom, orange-blossom scent—think of it as a royal exclusive. You can't buy it in stores, and each fragrance is crafted for only one owner. I've been using it for a while and it smells wonderful. I meant to bring it to you last night, but it got too late, so here it is now." Lina smiled as she explained.

But Elara didn't take it.

If Brian looked after a woman, she was bound to have the best of everything.

And for four years, what exactly had she been to him?

She'd once flattered herself she mattered, but now she realized she probably wasn't even a fixture in his world.

"Orange blossom?" Elara murmured, recalling the scent on Brian's clothes that day.

"Miss Vincent, your brother's not here. You don't have to put on an act for me. Once I start using this, I won't even be able to tell if that scent on him is yours or mine. My little charade will keep covering for you, just like always. Honestly, your scheming could be heard all the way to Antarctica."

"I didn't mean—" Lina tried to explain, but Brian appeared, freshly dressed, coming from his study.

"What's going on?" he asked.

Lina's face was still awash with a mix of hurt and innocence she hadn't yet managed to hide. Brian caught it in an instant.

"It's nothing, really. Just chatting with Elara," she replied.

Somehow, that answer stung more than a direct accusation.

Elara closed her eyes, bracing for Brian's sharp rebuke.

But instead, his attention landed on the bottle in Lina's hand.

"Elara doesn't like orange blossom. That's your custom scent, Lina, so keep it for yourself. We're family—no need for this kind of empty gesture."

Lina nodded, taking the bottle and slipping back to her room.

Elara reached to close her door, but Brian slipped inside just as it clicked shut.

"Your sister's upset now. Aren't you going to comfort her?"

Brian checked his watch. "We need to head to the studio soon for our fourth anniversary portraits. Keep your morning free."

Elara frowned. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

There was a familiar hint of disdain in Brian's eyes. "Nothing you do is that urgent. Missing a few hours won't hurt."

But during the shoot, she'd been quietly supportive, sharing in their cheerful mood without a trace of resentment.

If she had ulterior motives, she certainly didn't show them.

"Would you like a session too?" Brian asked.

Lina's eyes widened. "Really?"

Brian nodded at one of the staff. "Set up an artistic shoot for her."

Trying to play it cool, Lina followed the studio assistant to the dressing room to pick a gown.

But barely two minutes later, an explosion ripped through the corridor between the makeup and dressing rooms.

A plasterboard wall crumpled under the blast, and thick grey smoke flooded the space.

Elara was blinded, coughing in the acrid haze as she clawed her way out of the debris. Instinctively, she wanted to know if Brian was safe—but before she could move, she heard the head of security shouting into his earpiece:

"Mr. Vincent's orders: Miss Vincent is top priority!"

"Find Miss Vincent and get her out—now!"