Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 176

Cassian's lips parted, but every word caught in his throat, swallowed back down by silence.

Gennifer quickly masked the glimmer of triumph in her eyes. When she looked up again, her face was painted with worry and nervousness.

She tugged anxiously at the sleeve of Cassian's shirt. "Cassian, I think your sister's upset. There's still some things I wanted to report, but I'll tell you tomorrow. You should go check on her."

Though her words seemed considerate, her damp eyes were full of silent pleading, as if begging him not to leave.

But Cassian was different now—he didn't soften as he once might have. His gaze remained fixed on the direction Ruby had gone.

Seeing him ignore her, Gennifer clenched her teeth in frustration.

"Alright."

For the first time, Cassian didn't linger. He simply gave a quiet reply, then switched off the study's light.

Darkness swallowed the room; Gennifer's dazed, frozen expression vanished with it.

"You should head back."

All that lingered was the fading trace of his cologne and the sound of his footsteps retreating down the hall, leaving behind barely more than a whisper.

Only when the manor was utterly silent did Gennifer realize—Cassian had truly left her alone.

Eyes wide in disbelief, she stared into the darkness, stunned.

Without Cassian's permission, she bit her lip and watched, unwilling, as he walked toward the room where Ruby had gone.

As the grand doors of Northridge Manor closed, Cassian knocked lightly at Ruby's bedroom door.

Knowing Mira would be asleep by now, he kept his knock barely audible.

Ruby, not wanting to wake Mira either, opened the door despite her obvious reluctance.

She stared at Cassian with cold, questioning eyes, demanding to know why he was here.

"Veyne & Co. is in trouble," Cassian said, voice measured. "The only way to clear the company's name is to get last year's design draft from Victor."

"He won't hand it over—unless he sees you."

Cassian repeated the facts, his tone serious as ever.

Ruby's gaze flickered across his face, the sharp lines of his features softened by the warm, dim light inside. That usually hardened expression seemed almost gentle now.

She held his eyes for a moment, then stepped out into the hall and closed the door behind her.

She glanced back at Cassian, lowering her voice. "Let's talk out here."

Mira was sleeping inside; she didn't want any noise to disturb her.

Cassian felt his heart leap as he followed her.

But once they stood face-to-face in the corridor, Ruby's indifference chilled him.

"Consider signing the divorce papers."

His tone was cautious as he looked up and met Ruby's mocking eyes.

"I'll let you know when I decide," she said, her voice curt.

She turned to leave, but Cassian blocked her way.

He was tall, his shadow falling over her face. With the light behind him, he looked both brooding and strangely vulnerable.

"There's nothing between me and Gennifer. Don't misunderstand."

Ruby blinked, her tone cutting. "A boss and his assistant? That's the oldest cliché in the book."

She let out a cold laugh.

"Cassian, our divorce is just a matter of time."

With that, Ruby closed the door softly in his face.

The corridor was dimly lit, empty and quiet. Cassian lowered his lashes, the veins on his hand standing out—a testament to his struggle to keep his emotions in check.

She hadn't missed the chance to mock him about his relationship with her own adopted sister.

Cassian's lips curled into a cold, humorless smile.

And what about her and Sylas? Or Morgan?