Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 222

Bennett pulled up the security footage from outside the hospital, listing every place Ruby might have passed along the way.

Cassian was already on his feet. “Let’s check the supermarket first.”

They had barely reached the office door when it swung open from the outside. The nanny rushed in, cradling Mira in her arms, her face lined with worry. “Mr. Veyne, Miss Mira won’t stop crying. She’s refused her formula all morning—she just keeps wailing and won’t eat!”

Cassian instinctively looked at the baby in the nanny’s arms.

Mira looked utterly terrified, her chubby cheeks streaked with tears. Her usually bright, round eyes were squeezed tightly shut from crying, her little mouth puckered in distress.

Sensing Cassian’s gaze, Mira suddenly stopped crying. She opened her dark, shining eyes and stared straight at him.

A strange warmth rushed through Cassian’s chest. Just meeting the baby’s eyes, he felt an invisible thread tugging him closer to Mira.

For a child who should have had nothing to do with him, he was shocked to feel anxiety and an unfamiliar tenderness.

Noticing his own odd reaction, Cassian turned away. “Bring her along.”

He didn’t know Ruby’s reason for running off this time, but he understood well enough how much this child meant to her.

Mira seemed to understand too, and her tears dried up, though her little mouth still trembled.

Bennett instructed Fitch to stay at the manor and keep watch. If Ruby returned to Northridge Manor or if any news came in, he was to alert them immediately.

They wasted no time.

A formidable entourage marched into the supermarket, startling shoppers. Customers eyed the men in sharp suits warily, and no one dared look directly at the imposing man leading them—his presence alone sent people slinking away or even quietly leaving the store altogether.

Bennett carried Mira as he searched for Nona, but it was Mira who first pointed and babbled at a shadow in the corner. Only then did Bennett spot the stiff, aging figure.

“Nona!”

He called out, hurrying over with Mira in his arms, Cassian close behind.

Under their dual scrutiny, Nona froze, her attempt to slip away abandoned.

Meeting Cassian’s icy gaze, she wrung her hands and forced herself forward. “Mr. Veyne...”

“Where’s my wife?”

His voice was cold and heavy.

Nona’s panic gave way to confusion. She looked up and met Cassian’s piercing stare, her heart pounding before she quickly lowered her eyes.

He was asking about Mrs. Veyne? Did that mean Ruby had left again after meeting her?

The situation reminded her all too clearly of what had happened months ago.

Nona swallowed hard, her voice trembling. She couldn’t bring herself to answer.

They sped through the streets, reaching the manor in minutes. Cassian found Fitch waiting by the road.

“Mr. Veyne!” Fitch hurried over, holding out the button for Cassian to see.

Cassian’s expression darkened as he felt the gold-embossed insignia on the inside. It was from Sunéra—a boutique label Ruby loved.

“You found this here?”

Fitch nodded quickly.

Cassian’s eyes narrowed as he scanned the ground.

He knew about Sunéra’s craftsmanship: every button was hand-sewn for durability, designed never to come loose unless subjected to a violent struggle.

A chill ran down Cassian’s spine, dread and fear creeping up on him like vines after the rain. The possibility that Ruby had been hurt struck him like cold water to the face—a torture all its own.

“Find her! Call the local police—pull every road camera! I don’t care what it takes, bring her back to me!”

Cassian grabbed Bennett by the collar, his usually calm eyes burning red with barely contained panic.

Bennett, recognizing the gravity of the situation, handed Mira to the nanny and rushed off to coordinate with the authorities.

Suddenly, Mira began to babble, her wide eyes fixed on Cassian’s phone lying on the car seat.