Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 139

Cassian's eyes flickered for a brief moment, his gaze unconsciously drawn back to the woman across the room.

Just at that instant, she was leaning in to listen to Sylas, her delicate neck stretching ever so slightly as she tilted her head. Even with a few wisps of hair falling beside her cheek, the elegant lines of her face were unmistakable—a quiet, natural beauty.

Cassian's eyes went wide, fixed on the playful banter between Sylas and the woman. He couldn't tear his attention away, every gesture between them feeding a growing tension inside him.

Perhaps sensing the weight of Cassian's stare, Sylas glanced back over his shoulder. For a split second, his eyes met Cassian's, and he was taken aback by the shock in his uncle's gaze. Sylas blinked, and when he looked again, the expression had vanished—Cassian's face was back to its usual composure, though now his eyes held a glacial intensity that left Sylas feeling oddly unsettled.

Still, there was a certain respect that came with being family, so Sylas offered Cassian a polite nod.

Cassian pressed his lips together, not bothering to return the gesture, his attention locked on Ruby at Sylas's side.

Sylas frowned in confusion but quickly pulled out his phone to send Cassian a message.

Sylas: So? What do you think? My date's gorgeous, right?

Cassian felt the buzz against his hip. When he checked his phone, the message made his vision swim with a sudden wave of anger.

He looked up coldly. Sylas had already turned away, grinning indulgently as he leaned in to whisper something to Ruby.

A tight, stifling frustration coiled in Cassian's chest, the veins at his temple pulsing with irritation. He clenched his fingers, fighting to keep them from trembling with rage.

Cassian: Do you even know who she is?

Sylas frowned, puzzled by the message.

Ruby had started to notice the odd atmosphere as well. She leaned in and asked in a low voice, "What's going on?"

Sylas didn't bother to hide his confusion, but he shook his head. "Nothing, just… something feels off."

Off. That was it.

Did he know who she was? Of course he did—he'd spent years searching for his own ideal, his "one that got away." Could it be that Cassian knew Ruby too?

Questions swirled in Sylas's mind. Suddenly, he turned to Ruby and offered, "My uncle's here too. After this, I'll introduce you."

Ruby, in the middle of playing with little Mira, froze.

Meet Sylas's uncle?

She shot an odd look at Sylas, but he just smiled at her, his eyes warm and earnest, clearly waiting for her answer.

A prickle of anxiety ran up Ruby's spine.

They'd only met three times, and now he wanted her to meet his uncle? Wasn't that just a step away from meeting the family—already? It was almost embarrassing.

Gennifer had managed to squeeze into the row and sit beside Cassian, watching the way his gaze lingered on Ruby. She called his name, her voice small and plaintive: "Cassian?"

The sound snapped him back to reality. His lashes trembled as he forced his expression into its old, cold indifference.

He looked over, irritation barely masked. "What are you doing here?"

He wasn't questioning why Gennifer was at the auction—he was wondering why she'd taken that particular seat.

As he glanced at the spot beside him, his frown deepened.

"You used to always bring me with you," Gennifer said, her voice growing watery, eyes bright with unshed tears.

Cassian felt his patience wear thin. He rubbed his brow, more exasperated than usual. "If you want to sit, then sit."

And yet, even as he agreed, he couldn't help but wonder how Ruby would react if she saw them together. His hand tightened, a strange, almost guilty anticipation fluttering in his chest.

Gennifer didn't notice the shift in his mood. Her spirits lifted, and she settled into her seat with renewed confidence, stealing glances at Cassian's striking profile, so close she could hardly breathe.

But she also noticed the way he kept glancing to the side.

She couldn't help but follow his gaze.