To Love a Shadow To Be the Sun novel Chapter 88

Elara glanced over. "Who were you planning to call for help?"

Summer almost bit her tongue as she snapped her mouth shut.

Who could she call, really? She only had an older brother who might be of any use. But if Elara ever met him, her own hidden identity would be blown, and Elara would definitely flip out.

"Are you free tomorrow?" Summer asked.

Elara started the car. "If you sign the leave slip, I'll definitely be free."

"Your DNA file was uploaded days ago, but we haven't heard a thing. I was thinking maybe we should go to Mercy General Hospital and check in person."

That was actually a decent idea.

They drove off toward Ignition Dynamics.

As they passed the sign for Rigel Testing Center, Summer hesitated, then asked, "Elara, you don't think the people at the lab would tamper with the results, do you?"

Elara didn't know how to answer that.

Summer mulled it over. "Maybe I'm just worrying too much. Falsifying results is a crime—who'd risk throwing away their career for something like that?"

Elara stayed silent, but the way her lips pressed together betrayed a tension she couldn't completely hide.

That night, Brian didn't come back to Platinum Bay, but he did call her.

He used the landline in the living room.

Elara knew perfectly well—he was checking to see if she'd come home.

He didn't bring up anything about Chuck, but she knew he was still harboring doubts.

On the phone, Brian said he'd be working late and sleeping at the office.

It wasn't the first time this had happened—in the past, Elara would always bring him a change of clothes and remind him to eat and get some rest. But this time, she simply replied with a flat "Okay" and hung up.

Brian listened to the dial tone in his ear, then stared out at the endless night beyond the window, a strange feeling settling in his chest.

It was like holding a kite string—you could feel it slipping through your fingers, even though it hadn't snapped yet.

The melancholy of night seeped into every soul weighed down by secrets.

At that moment, in the top-floor suite of the Cloudcrest Hotel, a man stood silent before the floor-to-ceiling window, his figure cast in the soft gold lamplight. Every line of his disciplined silhouette hinted at a self-control sharp as a blade.

His assistant entered and flicked on the lights.

"Sir, we still haven't made headway tracking the source of the DNA sample. The main issue is with the security footage at Mercy General Hospital. As for your wife's whereabouts... the trail's gone cold again. Capital City has called three times already, urging your return. What should I—?"

The man turned, setting down his whiskey glass.

"Book my flight. I'll stop by 547 one more time before I leave."

The receptionist was curt, handing her a slip of paper with a phone number and website. She was told the data had been uploaded already, and if there were any questions, to contact the database—don't bother the hospital.

Elara stared at the cold numbers on the sticky note, turned around, and nearly crashed into a tall, impeccably dressed man.

He gently steadied her with a hand.

Elara lowered her eyes, gave a brief nod of apology, and moved on.

Summer was waiting at the hospital entrance, looking much better.

"Well? Any luck?" she asked.

Elara showed her the sticky note. "Just got bounced around—told me to call here."

Summer frowned. "Shouldn't they at least notify us once there's news?"

With nothing accomplished, they got back in the car.

Just as Elara was about to start the engine, her phone rang.

It was a voice call from Yves Caldwell.

"Ma'am, Ms. Winters' test results are back. Mr. Vincent wants you at the hospital right away."