Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 145

The smile froze on Ruby's lips, its warmth fading from her eyes.

She'd heard a car pull up in the driveway just moments ago. At this hour, there was only one person who'd come knocking—Cassian.

Realizing who must be standing outside, she didn't move, making no effort to answer the door.

The silence inside seemed to confuse Cassian as well. He frowned, uncertain. Maybe she's asleep? he wondered.

Just as he was about to leave, the door clicked open.

He found himself face to face with a pair of icy, indifferent eyes, cold as winter frost.

Her gaze was clear and bright, but utterly devoid of warmth, fixed on him as if silently demanding, Who are you and what do you want?

Whatever words Cassian had planned to say jammed in his throat.

He knew how much Ruby cherished her grandmother's memory, and he understood just how much that string of pearls meant to her.

"Here," he said quietly.

He extended his arm, offering her the velvet jewelry box.

Ruby's expression didn't soften, but as her eyes landed on the box, something flickered in their depths—an emotion she couldn't quite hide.

Still, she didn't reach for the box. Instead, suspicion and confusion sharpened her gaze as she looked at Cassian.

Her wariness stung him. He swallowed, his tone gentle. "I'm your husband. If you want something, you don't have to go to anyone else."

He nudged the door open wider, stepped inside, and placed the box gently on the nearest table.

As he set it down, his gaze drifted to the sleeping infant on the bed.

Mira was fast asleep, her chubby cheeks twitching now and then, her tiny lips pursed in a dream. She looked impossibly sweet.

The emptiness that usually haunted Cassian's heart was slowly replaced by the quiet warmth of this room, the sense of mother and child.

But then, Ruby stepped between him and the bed.

But Ruby only laughed, a cold, mocking sound.

He glanced over, meeting her eyes—eyes full of irony and scorn.

"Wife? Husband?" she scoffed, as if the words themselves were a joke. "Cassian, you know I've had the divorce papers ready for months. The only reason we're still here is because the timing isn't right. Sure, I'm relying on you now. I have nowhere else to go. But let's not kid ourselves."

Cassian kept his hands in his pockets, his eyes lowered, the coldness in them almost palpable.

The air between them was thick with tension, but Ruby didn't flinch. Her expression was resolute, unwavering.

Every word, every gesture made one thing painfully clear—she was determined to leave him, no matter the cost.

Cassian couldn't quite describe what he felt. Every look, every movement from Ruby was like a knife twisting in his chest.

"Ruby," he said suddenly, his voice unexpectedly soft—and even, for the briefest moment, touched by a wry little laugh.

The abrupt shift in his demeanor startled her. She stared, wary and uncertain, waiting to see what he'd do next.