To Love a Shadow To Be the Sun novel Chapter 60

But Elara's demeanor was ice-cold.

"Isn't it strange, Miss Vincent's illness? Apparently, my husband is her one and only cure, and her episodes always seem to strike right when our marriage hits a rough patch. Those tears of hers—she can turn them on and off like a faucet."

"Elara!" A dark shadow flickered in Brian's eyes. "She's trying to apologize to you. When did you become so cruel?"

"Please, don't talk to her like that, Brian. And you two, stop fighting over me," Lina sobbed, pleading as Brian bent down to help her up.

Elara's eyes glinted with mockery. "So that explains why Mr. Vincent's been so short-tempered with me lately. Turns out he's picked up a taste for your sister's citrus perfume."

Brian froze.

Elara didn't wait for a reply. She headed upstairs, her heels striking the marble steps with a sharp, unforgiving rhythm.

She thought the matter was over. But at three in the morning, Elara was jolted awake by muffled, stuttering sobs.

The sound drifted from the guest room window.

At first, Elara tried to ignore it. But the crying only escalated, morphing into harsh retching and the thud of a body crashing against furniture.

A chill knotted in her stomach. Elara had always doubted Lina's claims of depression—she suspected Lina was faking it, manipulating sympathy. But those noises just now were genuinely unsettling…

Her better instincts won out. She swung her legs out of bed, opened her door, and stepped out to check.

Just as she did, the study door across the hall swung open too. Brian emerged, barefoot in thin pajamas, their eyes locking in the dim light.

A sudden, violent crash echoed from the guest room. Brian rushed over, pounding on the door.

"Lina, open up! Open the door, now!"

No answer from inside.

Whether or not Lina was truly in the throes of depression tonight, what she said would only drive Brian's anger at Elara deeper.

"Lina, look at me. Put the knife down," Brian said, his voice sharp enough to startle Lina.

"Don't bother with me, Brian. She—she'll just hate me more. I'm miserable. Let me die. It's the only way I'll ever be happy again." Lina's voice cracked, desperate and broken.

Brian's jaw tightened. Her words cut him deeply.

In a heartbeat, he lunged, grabbing Lina's wrist so hard his knuckles turned white, forcing the knife away.

Lina gasped in pain and let go. Her body sagged, collapsing into Brian's arms.

Right there, in front of Elara.

Brian and another woman, both in thin pajamas, clinging together with nothing left between them—not even the barest sense of boundaries.