Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 162

Only now did it hit him—he'd actually dared to talk back to Mr. Veyne just moments ago! Was he out of his mind? Did he not want a future in Quinborough?

At the front desk, the receptionist was all smiles now, her attitude unusually attentive. In no time, she handed Cassian a prepared keycard. "This is Miss Ruby's room key."

Cassian glanced at the room number, then strode toward the elevators, his long legs carrying him away with purpose.

Bennett gave a wave, signaling his team to follow.

Meanwhile, Ruby had no idea that someone was already downstairs searching for her. She'd just finished unpacking her suitcase and was planning to grab some breakfast in the hotel's restaurant.

She'd rushed out so quickly, and now Mira was hungry again.

Cradling Mira in one arm and carrying a small pouch with baby utensils in the other, Ruby made her way to the nearest elevator—it was quicker, especially with her hands so full.

She had barely found a seat in the restaurant when a slender hand placed a simple sandwich across from her.

Frowning, she was about to say the seat was taken, but her eyes caught the elegant obsidian watch on his wrist, and the words died on her lips.

She looked up—and sure enough, met a pair of smiling, fox-like eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Ruby asked, genuinely surprised.

Sylas just shrugged, his tone casual. "I'm only in Quinborough temporarily. I stay at this hotel most of the time."

He smiled, the delight in his voice unmistakable. "I just didn't expect to run into you here."

His gaze lingered on her, bold and hopeful, making no effort to hide his feelings.

The truth was, when he first learned she was his uncle's wife, he'd tried to act indifferent, but inside, it felt like a boulder had dropped into his chest.

He could never reconcile the Ruby he knew with the rumors about his uncle's imprisoned wife. He'd always imagined her as a cold-hearted villain, a woman who'd betrayed his uncle and landed him in ruin.

But if that person was Ruby—he'd take back every ounce of scorn and suspicion.

Because she was Ruby.

And if she was Ruby, she could do no wrong.

She didn't seem interested in explaining further. Instead, she rummaged through her diaper bag, pulling out a bottle and formula powder to prepare Mira's milk.

Sylas, abandoning any pretense of being the aloof prince, immediately offered, "Let me do it."

Ruby hesitated, but when she met his earnest gaze, she relented.

It didn't take long for Sylas to return with a warm bottle, grinning as he held it to Mira's lips.

Mira seemed to recognize him, too—her tiny mouth opened and latched onto the bottle without hesitation.

Sylas watched, fascinated by Mira's adorable eagerness, his heart full to the brim.

That was the scene Cassian saw when he swept in with a team of bodyguards—the picture of Sylas bending over to feed Mira, Ruby's gentle gaze resting on her daughter, a stray lock of hair falling across her face in a tender, maternal way.

The three of them looked for all the world like a perfect, happy family.

"Ruby!" Cassian's voice cut through the moment.