Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 28

"What are you thanking me for? For testifying against me and sending me to prison yourself? Or for winning my trust all those years, only to hand over everything I worked so hard to accomplish to Gennifer—and then, when it mattered most, stabbing me in the back?"

"Morgan, don't tell me the one you love isn't Gennifer. Everything you did was for her. Was befriending me just part of your plan from the very beginning?"

Ruby couldn't even look at him without feeling sick.

It was just like that old tale—the farmer and the viper.

She and Morgan had grown up together, as close as siblings. When the Blackwood family cast him aside, she was the only one who stood by him. She believed that with his talent, even without his family's name, he could make something of himself.

He did. Day by day, he became a business prodigy—someone whose reputation rivaled Cassian's.

And then he destroyed her, just like that.

She had always thought of him as her best friend. She'd never had many friends growing up. The other girls flocked around Gennifer, leaving Ruby on the outside. But she never cared, because she had her own champion—her big brother, the one who understood what it was to be alone.

But now...

"I can't even stand to look at you!"

Clutching Mira tightly, Ruby brushed past him, refusing to meet his eyes.

"Rue, I know you'll never forgive me, but that's all right. I can protect you now. Even Cassian won't be able to hurt you anymore."

Morgan grabbed her arm. His eyes were rimmed red, strikingly handsome but full of something she no longer recognized as affection.

All Ruby felt was contempt.

"Save your act for Gennifer."

She wrenched free, barely restraining the urge to slap him. If she weren't so afraid—afraid of Morgan's retaliation, afraid that Mira would get hurt—she wouldn't have held back at all.

Having a child had become her greatest weakness.

Ruby hurried forward.

Not far away, Morgan's assistant stood waiting, his expression a mixture of shock and pity.

Now even Morgan's lapdog pitied her. Ruby gave a cold, brittle laugh. "Tell your dog to move."

Morgan clenched his jaw, then waved his hand in dismissal.

The assistant, hesitant, stepped aside respectfully.

"I know you don't want to leave with me, but it's still pouring out. I'll have a car take you home."

"Morgan, I came here to see Cassian. You don't need to block me for Gennifer's sake."

But Morgan called after her, voice raised:

"Rue, you'd better not take the child to Cassian. Gennifer's pregnant! You and your daughter are nothing but obstacles to them now!"

Ruby stumbled, but didn't look back.

She tucked a hundred-dollar bill into the front seat pocket, realizing only after that he wouldn't reply. The driver seemed not to notice, just kept his eyes on the road.

Luckily, Mira's clothes underneath were dry. Ruby stripped off the soaked outer layers and wrapped her daughter up in the towel, dabbing herself off as best she could.

She closed her eyes briefly, but her forehead felt hot—her body shivered.

Fever. She was coming down with something, as always after getting caught in the rain. A year and a half in prison had left her weak; she always got sick, no exceptions.

But she couldn't pass out now. Mira still needed her.

Through the rearview mirror, the driver watched as Ruby struggled to stay upright. She nearly fainted more than once, but every time, she pinched her leg hard enough to keep herself awake.

Beneath the mask and cap, a pair of familiar, striking eyes—Morgan's eyes—filled with disbelief. The little girl who once whined and begged at the slightest sniffle… When had she become so strong?

What had happened to her in prison?

Morgan's gaze lingered on the scar across her cheek. Something sharp twisted inside his chest.

If she wanted to hate someone, let her hate Cassian. At worst, Morgan had only been an accomplice.

Rue, I never meant to hurt you…

Then his eyes fell on the baby girl sleeping in Ruby's arms—a child who, with one look, could only be Cassian's.

But hadn't Gennifer said Cassian and Ruby's marriage was falling apart? How had he let Ruby have his child… and keep her?