Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 157

He didn't miss the flicker of confusion, the thoughtful silence, or the trace of bewilderment on her face.

Sylas's hand drifted to the sculpture on the table, his fingers gently tracing the delicate features—the sculpted cheekbones, the refined, upturned nose…

Under his palm was a statue that bore an uncanny resemblance to Ruby—so close, in fact, it could have been her twin.

He let go, retreating a few steps as if needing distance to steady himself.

The entire room was overflowing with sculptures, cluttered and chaotic.

Sylas sighed heavily.

He hadn't been in Quinborough long, yet somehow he'd already carved so many likenesses of her.

A tightness welled in his chest, emotions swirling beneath his palm.

Meanwhile, Ruby had already arranged for Balfour to return to Northridge Manor.

Before inheriting this estate, she'd barely scraped by, living in fear and uncertainty.

Now, at last, she could move with Mira to a new place—a real home.

After all, she'd made up her mind to divorce Cassian, and sharing the same roof with him couldn't go on forever.

Ruby set Mira gently on the bed and, without a moment's hesitation, began packing their things.

Her hands moved quickly, but her mind couldn't help drifting back to her encounter with Nona at the store.

No wonder she'd felt like something was missing ever since she returned to Northridge Manor. She'd been here nearly a week and hadn't seen Nona even once—of course, Cassian must have sent her away already.

Unbidden, her thoughts flashed to the previous year, to the desperate pleas she'd made to Nona after getting out of prison. The memory spurred her on, packing even faster.

When she left, she didn't hesitate. None of the clothes or jewelry Cassian had given her or Mira made it into her suitcase, and she left nothing of her own behind.

With Mira in her arms and her suitcase rolling behind, Ruby marched straight to the front door and waited for it to open.

The security guard started at the sight of her, taken aback by her determined air. But recognizing her, he dared not stop her—only tried to stall for time.

"Ma'am, are you heading out somewhere? Do you need me to call a driver for you? Why the suitcase? Should I fetch someone to help with your things?"

He kept talking, blocking her path with his body as he spoke.

Ruby stopped, impatience flashing across her face. She fixed him with an icy stare.

The guard bit his lip, sweat breaking out on his brow as he hesitated.

He glanced again out the gate, but Ruby's cab had long since vanished.

He smacked his thigh in frustration, regret etched across his features.

Rules were dead things—it was people who needed to think!

He should have stopped her, no matter what.

Pacing in circles, the guard's mind flashed back to the upheaval at the manor just a few months ago.

Mr. Veyne had come to collect Ruby himself, yet she'd returned on her own from prison, arriving at the manor before anyone expected. That time, Nona had been caught covering for her, and Mr. Veyne's fury had been swift. He'd punished Nona harshly, and even after she revealed Ruby's whereabouts, she'd been thrown out for good.

Remembering that disaster, the guard shuddered. He couldn't care less about his post now—he ordered a cab and headed straight for Veyne & Co.

Cassian had no idea Ruby had left. He remained absorbed in the documents before him.

Bennett stood nearby, sorting through the files, with the half-burned manuscript Cameron Lockridge had once gifted Cassian lying on the table.

A sharp knock echoed from outside the archives.

Cassian and Bennett exchanged a glance. Bennett raised an eyebrow, forcing down a surge of unease as he strode over to open the door.