Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 3

A sudden breeze swept in, sending a cascade of crab apple petals drifting across the slate-blue carpet.

When Cassian pushed open the door, streaks of rosy pink caught his eye.-

The window was thrown wide open, letting the wind fill the room. The crab apple branches pressed against the glass as always, but the one person he expected to find inside was gone.

He crossed the room and shut the window with a practiced hand.

The wind stilled, but his mind did not.

Cassian's tall frame halted at the foot of the bed. He pressed one hand into the charcoal-gray duvet while his other hand massaged his forehead, his frustration mounting.

She was just someone insignificant—why should he care?

If she died out there, it was none of his concern. She was the one who refused to come back.

A faint trace of perfume lingered in the air. The cold wind had all but dispersed it, yet Cassian's expression darkened at once.

"Who's been in this room? Someone, get in here!"

Meanwhile, at the hidden side gate behind Northridge Manor—

Nona hurriedly shepherded a stumbling figure out into the night.

The woman staggered, arms wrapped protectively around a bundled infant.

Mira slept soundly. Perhaps the night air was a little chilly; she burrowed her rosy face deeper into her mother's embrace.

Ruby held her daughter close, gentle and careful.

She'd been worried Mira might cry and alert the wolf inside the house, but the little girl seemed to sense her mother's anxiety and stayed quiet, not making a sound.

Adjusting Mira in her arms, Ruby turned to Nona.

"Thank you—for everything tonight."

Nona was the housekeeper, responsible for keeping the manor spotless.

Years ago, Ruby had shown her kindness, so when Ruby returned tonight to fetch her belongings, Nona kept watch for her.

So many new faces had come and gone over the years, but Nona had remained steadfast.

She nudged Ruby gently toward the gate, encouraging her to move forward.

"Don't worry—I'll handle anything that comes up."

"After what he did—throwing you in jail with his own hands, so cold and ruthless—even I, an outsider, can't stand to watch it."

"Hurry now, ma'am. Take good care of Miss Mira."

"And yourself."

Ruby looked back, biting her lip. "Nona, I need to ask you—"

But Nona already understood. "Don't worry. Tonight, I never saw you." With those words, she closed the little gate and locked it tight.

Through the crack, she waved her hand—worn and lined from years of work—her face full of sorrow.

After all, it was Cassian who'd hired the best lawyers to send Ruby to prison with his own hands.

Someone as cold and heartless as him didn't deserve a wife like her, or a daughter as sweet as little Mira.