Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 149

That had always been meant for her, hadn't it?

Cassian withdrew his gaze, rubbing his brow as he headed back to his room, hoping to catch a bit more sleep.

Meanwhile, Ruby climbed into a cab with Mira in her arms.

The baby, still bleary-eyed, rubbed at her face and let out a little grumble from her empty stomach.

It wasn't until then that Ruby realized, in the rush of washing up, changing Mira's clothes, giving her formula and vitamins, she'd completely forgotten about the steamed egg she'd planned as Mira's baby food for the day.

To Ruby, Mira was her first priority.

So rather than rushing to claim the inheritance, she directed the driver to stop at the nearest shopping center.

She remembered there was a decent baby-friendly café here—surely they'd have something soft and nourishing like steamed egg.

But after scanning the directory inside, she couldn't find the place. Resigned, she headed over to a nearby supermarket to ask a staff member for help.

The moment she looked up to speak, she found herself face to face with someone she hadn't seen in ages—a familiar face that made her heart clench.

The woman gasped the second she recognized Ruby. "Ma'am?!"

Ruby, equally startled, blurted out, "Nona?"

Her gaze swept over the older woman's face, the lines and years etched much deeper than before. Pain twisted in Ruby's chest.

Nona had worked at Northridge Manor for years and had always looked healthier and younger than her peers. Yet, in just a few months since Ruby's release, she'd become haggard, as if she'd aged a decade.

Ruby's heart trembled. She couldn't help but grab Nona's hand, concern in her voice. "What are you doing here? What happened?"

As she spoke, her fingers brushed over the rough, calloused tips of Nona's hand, and her heart clenched again.

Nona's face clouded, and she stammered, unable to get the words out.

Sensing Ruby's sudden change in expression, Nona quickly pulled her hand away.

Ruby eyed her, questions swirling in her mind. "Is this because of Cassian?"

Nona bit her lip, visibly struggling. In the end, she only shook her head and whispered, "Ma'am, I'm sorry. I broke my promise to you. I was the one who told Mr. Veyne where you were."

"That's all in the past now," Ruby said quietly. "But if you told him, why did he still dismiss you?"

Nona fell silent, unwilling to say more.

Ruby looked at her deeply lined face and felt a wave of guilt and sadness.

"Are you doing okay now?" Ruby tried to steady her voice, tamping down the swirl of emotion inside.

Nona nodded. "It's nothing like before, of course, but I get by."

She paused, surprised by the formality.

The man at the front stepped forward with a broad, welcoming smile. "Miss Grayson, we've been expecting you. Right this way, please."

He gestured politely, leading her inside.

Ruby couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed. Were all these people really waiting for her?

She drew a quiet breath, thinking it was a lot of fuss, but didn't hesitate for long. Cradling Mira, she followed them in.

"Here is your grandmother's handwritten will," the man said, donning white gloves and presenting her with a thick envelope, treating it with the utmost respect.

Ruby's hands trembled. Her grandmother's handwriting?

Emotion welled up in her chest and glistened in her eyes.

Sensing her grief, everyone in the room fell silent, each person quietly giving her space.

Ruby's fingers shook as she touched the thick, brown envelope. There were at least ten pages inside—far more than just a will. It was more like a final letter, written just for her.

Only the last two pages contained brief instructions about the estate; the rest were filled with memories and love for Ruby.

By the time she finished reading, her cheeks were wet with tears.