Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 115

Linda was reeling, stunned by what she'd just realized.

She glanced again at Ruby.

What a pity she was already married, a mother with a child in tow.

Ruby caught the two exchanging looks and gestures she couldn't decipher. Although she didn't sense any malice, she wanted to get away as soon as possible.

"I really have to go," she said, feigning regret, but her hands were already pushing the stroller forward.

"I'll walk with you," Sylas responded instantly, striding to catch up.

Ruby blinked, a wry twitch at her lips.

She pressed on, determined, but Sylas kept pace right behind her.

Finally, she stopped in her tracks and sighed, exasperated. "Sir, please, stop following me."

She'd assumed he was just a boy at first, but looking at him now, she could see he was only a few years younger than she was. Still, there was a commanding presence about his features—a sharpness he couldn't quite hide.

Sylas stiffened, a flicker of hurt in his eyes. "Why?"

Ruby felt her whole worldview crumbling.

Why? Do I even know you? You've been tailing me and you're asking why?

Her patience gone, she shot him a glare. "If you keep following me, I'll call the police."

"Alright," Sylas replied, completely unfazed. He nodded agreeably, acting as if he were perfectly compliant.

But after saying that, he only stuck closer to her heels.

Ruby thought this guy was beyond strange. She quickened her pace, trying to shake him off like a stubborn patch of glue.

Linda hurried to catch up, too. "Hey, which apartment complex do you live in around here?"

A chill ran down Ruby's spine—she deeply regretted coming out today. Clearly, this was not her day.

Yet neither of them seemed to mean her any harm, which left her at a loss for how to get rid of them.

She started walking faster, so much so that she accidentally bumped into a passerby in her haste.

"Sorry!" she blurted, stopping abruptly. The person only grunted, cradling their head and limping off at speed.

Ruby froze, her eyes lingering on his uneven gait.

Didn't that hurt? She could've paid his hospital bill if needed!

Forget it. If they wanted to follow, let them. She just couldn't let them tail her all the way home.

With a resigned shrug, she kept pushing Mira's stroller.

Sylas, on the other hand, was quietly delighted and walked alongside her, clearly searching for something to say. He opened his mouth, closed it, then finally blurted out awkwardly, "So… is that your child?"

"Yeah," Ruby replied, her tone cool and detached.

But the man stopped short, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Not your niece or nephew? That's really your child? You have a kid?"

Ruby shot him a look that screamed, Obviously.

Mira took after Cassian, but it was still obvious the two were mother and daughter.

Sylas felt his world collapse. His shoulders slumped, and he clenched his fists where no one could see.

It was his own fault for coming too late.

But after a moment of silent grief, his brows knit in concern, and there was a flash of steel in his eyes. "Where's the child's father? Why are you out here alone with the baby? Don't you have a nanny?"

Ruby was stunned by his barrage of questions, and by the end could only press her lips in a silent sigh.

Did he think everyone here could afford a nanny? Then again, judging by their looks and the neighborhood, these two probably came from money. No wonder he'd ask.