Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 186

"Uncle…"

"Well, what is it you want to say, Sylas? Or are you just jealous I'm holding my wife?"

Cassian's arms tightened around Ruby, her soft warmth pressed against him. Moments ago, his face had been clouded and cold, but now a subtle contentment softened his features. He even closed his eyes briefly, exuding the effortless confidence of someone utterly in control.

The air shifted. Cassian's quiet dominance immediately outmatched Sylas's presence.

Sylas's face darkened, jaw clenched with silent frustration.

Their eyes met, Cassian's lips curving in a cool, unhurried smirk, while Sylas's usual easygoing facade slipped, the tension between "uncle" and "nephew" thickening until it felt like the room itself hummed with electricity.

"Let her go."

Ruby caught the hard glint in Sylas's eye and felt a surge of anger rise up inside her. Did these two think she was some object to be passed between them?

"No."

Cassian's reply was sharp, final—leaving no room for argument.

Ruby shot him a furious glare over her shoulder, but Cassian only raised an eyebrow, his expression calm, as if daring her to challenge him. Their eyes clashed in the air, silent sparks flying.

Inside, Ruby's thoughts were in turmoil.

She'd always known Cassian disapproved of her, barely masking his contempt; so why, lately, did he keep getting involved in her life, even doing things he'd once found beneath him—or outright detested?

She couldn't make sense of it, and his nearness unsettled her more than she wanted to admit.

"Ruby, we're still married," Cassian murmured, his voice low and breath warm against her ear. "Remember who you are. And remember—the man sitting across from us is your nephew."

Ruby stiffened, glancing awkwardly at the tense Sylas.

No wonder, she thought bitterly.

Of course Cassian wouldn't want his refined nephew mingling with a soon-to-be-divorced ex-con like her.

The realization was clear as day—yet it stung all the same.

Their bodies were pressed together, and even with two layers of clothing between them, she could feel his warmth, as if it seeped straight into her bones.

Ruby's brow twitched in discomfort.

Cassian, oblivious to the storm inside her, appeared perfectly composed. Only the tense movement of his throat betrayed any hint of emotion. Outwardly, he was calm, but the subtle fragrance rising from Ruby's skin was like a slow-burning incense—curling into his senses, leaving his mind strangely blank.

Sylas watched them, his eyes darkening, his expression unreadable.

"Aren't you two getting divorced?" he said finally, his tone flat, almost accusing. "If there's nothing left between you, then maybe you should respect Ruby's wishes, Uncle. Keeping her this close… don't you think you owe her that much?"