Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 255

How was this any different from a giant stuffed animal? It was soft, warm, and comforting.

Garrison made no effort to hide the affection on his face. Though it was his first time holding a baby and his movements were a bit clumsy, he was fiercely protective of Mira, holding her securely in his arms.

Ruby couldn’t help but be amused. The same man who seemed so in control at the shopping mall now looked totally at a loss with a child. Yet she had to admit, the sight was heartwarming.

Garrison was a quick learner. In no time, he adjusted his stance, cradling Mira in a way that looked both natural and comfortable.

Mira seemed to like her new uncle, giggling as Garrison gently rocked her back and forth.

She even greeted him in her own babyish way—adorably shaking her little head from side to side.

Her head was perfectly round, soft and chubby, and because of the season, she wore a pink knit hat that made her look even more irresistibly cute as she bobbed about.

Her laughter was clear as a bell, and Garrison’s eyes were full of delight.

He suddenly looked up, speaking with a rush of emotion, “Miss Grayson, this might sound a bit forward—I hope I don’t startle you.”

Ruby was caught off-guard by his abrupt seriousness and quickly motioned for him to go on.

Garrison nodded. “Miss Grayson, I’d like to marry you.”

“Marry me, and I’ll give you everything I have—status, security, wealth—whatever you want, just name it.”

Ruby really was startled this time; her eyes widened as she stared at Garrison, as if checking whether he was joking.

He seemed to read her mind and shook his head at once. “Miss Grayson, I mean it. I’m completely serious.”

Ruby felt her cheeks warm, genuinely at a loss.

Just as Cassian had said yesterday, no matter how much time had passed, the shadow of her wrongful conviction from a year ago still clung to her. She would always carry the label of an ex-con, and now she had a child as well.

Garrison was nothing if not honest. He told Ruby, straightforwardly, about his own inability to have children, then glanced down at the cooing baby in his arms. “I really like Mira. From the first moment I saw her, I liked her.”

Ruby couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time.

She’d never imagined her first marriage proposal would be from a man who’d fallen for her child.

Garrison’s expression shifted, but he said nothing more.

Of course, it wasn’t just about the baby.

He was nothing like those men on daytime TV who married for the sake of a child.

Ruby herself was a force he couldn’t resist—a woman who looked delicate but had a core of steel, whose mind was always brimming with ideas and whose talent shone through in everything she did.

He still remembered the first time he’d seen her designs; he’d been utterly captivated.

But he didn’t try to explain any of this, only hoping he wasn’t overwhelming her.

“Could the child actually be Mr. Cloud’s? Maybe Ruby’s been with him all along, and that’s why he’s flown across the ocean to stand by her…”

The speculation only grew wilder, but the people at the center of it all were busy strolling down the street, chatting and laughing as if nothing else existed.

Garrison carried Mira—ostensibly to spare Ruby the trouble, but in truth he simply adored the little girl and would have taken her home in his pocket if he could.

Ruby saw right through him, but didn’t call him out, letting the two enjoy themselves.

They wandered without a destination, stopping at shop windows from time to time. Ruby introduced Garrison to some of Quinborough’s famous dishes and exquisite crafts.

They made their way to the end of the street, where a menacing Bugatti Veyron blocked the road ahead, its hazard lights flashing like a pair of eyes fixed directly on Ruby.

Ruby felt a prickle of annoyance and was about to turn away, but the car suddenly revved and shot forward, cutting her off.

Whoever was inside clearly wasn’t backing down.

Ruby realized, belatedly, that the car had come for her.

The window slid down under her wary gaze, revealing a tense, unsmiling face. Cassian’s icy stare lingered on Garrison’s arms around Mira.

Inside the car, Cassian looked thunderous.

A moment later, the door swung open.