Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 138

But instead of heading for the back row as she'd imagined, he led her straight down the aisle—to the very first row. With an easy confidence, he guided her right to the center seats.

Ruby blinked, visibly unsettled, unable to hide her surprise.

Noticing her wide-eyed look, Sylas shot her a roguish grin. "These are our seats. I picked them out. What do you think?"

Ruby couldn't help but stifle a laugh at the smug, almost puppyish way he seemed to fish for praise. It was ridiculous.

She and Cassian weren't divorced yet. True, Cassian had rarely accepted her, and she'd hardly ever attended these grand events at his side, so the upper crust barely recognized her. Still, she couldn't shake off the worry that something unexpected might happen.

She pressed her lips together and tugged at Sylas's arm, lowering her voice. "Could we maybe… sit a little more to the side?"

Sylas gave her a questioning look, and Ruby's gaze darted around before landing on the glaring overhead lights. She winced, feigning discomfort. "It's so bright. Gives me a headache."

She massaged her temples for effect.

Sylas paused, his eyes lingering on her little gesture.

Just as Ruby was about to give up hope of switching seats, he broke into a smile. "Easy."

Without missing a beat, he flagged down an usher and, after a brief exchange, led Ruby to a seat on the far right of the first floor.

This spot, mercifully, was shaded by a huge lighting panel overhead, casting a gentle shadow across their seats.

With that protective layer of shadow, Ruby finally relaxed, letting out a quiet sigh of relief.

Their move was subtle, barely attracting notice—except for a pair of sharp eyes watching from across the hall.

At Quinborough, seats on the first floor were reserved strictly for the elite; yet someone had just willingly swapped out of the central spot?

Gennifer narrowed her eyes, her stare boring into the pair tucked away in the corner.

And that woman…

Her heart skipped a beat.

Why does she look so much like Ruby?!

Could it be that Cassian brought Ruby to the auction tonight, and that's why he didn't invite her?

The possibility made Gennifer's eyes flash with anger, and she nearly shot to her feet.

No. Impossible. She must be seeing things. Ruby, that nobody from the fringes, could never show up at an event like this.

She forced herself to keep calm, gripping her clutch with white knuckles as she sat a few rows behind center.

Suddenly, a familiar male figure took a seat.

Gennifer's attention snapped to him.

Was that… Cassian?

She parted her lips slightly, watching as Cassian settled into the seat to the left of the central spot, with Morgan taking the seat to the right.

Not Cassian in the corner, then. She relaxed, but her eyes flicked back to the shadowed pair.

From this angle, the dim lighting revealed only the elegant lines of their faces. The woman still looked uncannily like Ruby, but Gennifer finally turned away.

After all, Ruby barely knew a soul in Quinborough—just Cassian and Morgan, really. How could she possibly be here as a distinguished guest's companion?

For the first time that evening, Cassian's composure slipped. He frowned, genuine curiosity flickering across his face.

What kind of woman could make his nephew obsess for years, pulling every string to track her down at Quinborough?

Cassian stroked his chin, every gesture exuding effortless refinement.

At that moment, Bennett, clearly recognizing Sylas, leaned in and pointed. "Mr. Veyne, isn't that Mr. Cunningham over there?"

Cassian looked up, and sure enough, there was Sylas in the far corner, a face he hadn't seen in ages.

But…

Cassian's gaze sharpened, focusing on the woman beside Sylas.

Sylas, tall and imposing even in a slim-cut white suit, blocked most of the woman from view. All Cassian could see was the soft pink of her floor-length gown, and in her arms… was that a baby?

A hint of gravity darkened Cassian's eyes.

What sort of woman—single mother, no less—could attract Sylas's attention like this?

He couldn't make sense of it, but watching the two of them lean in, sharing whispered words, he felt a strange, indefinable emotion stir within him.

He hadn't seen much of his nephew in years, but he knew Sylas's taste: always black, midnight blue—never a full white suit.

And then…

Cassian noticed Sylas's tie—a dazzling pink diamond, clearly chosen to match his companion.

Matching outfits. Could they be any more obvious?