Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 329

Even if it was her own uncle.

Sylas’s gaze lingered on Ruby, filled with a longing and tenderness he couldn’t quite name, not even to himself.

The two of them stood close together, their strikingly refined features drawing admiring glances from those around them. More than a few people couldn’t help but stare—some shy, some bold—though, faced with the pair, they quickly looked away, suddenly self-conscious.

This time, Ruby didn’t protest when Sylas offered her a ride. She slid into the passenger seat of his limited edition Ferrari, and together they sped toward Southgarde Estate.

Stepping out into the familiar city streets, she was hit with a wave of emotion. It had been so long since she’d last been here. Now, finally, after everything, she was back.

Her nose tingled, threatening tears.

This time, nothing stood in her way.

At the gates, Pamela was already waiting for her.

Back when the accounts under Ruby’s name had been frozen, she’d lost the right to live at Southgarde. Only after Cassian restored her bank cards did she arrange to move back in, but repeated troubles with Mira—and herself—kept her from returning sooner.

Now that she knew exactly who had been behind all her difficulties, Ruby felt more at ease than she had in ages.

She carried Mira in her arms, heading for the door, while Sylas—usually so brash and carefree—seemed suddenly out of place, almost awkward.

He hovered by the car, uncertain, until Ruby turned and called out to him. “Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?”

Sylas’s eyes lit up in surprise.

“If you’re in a hurry, don’t mind me,” she added, turning away with Mira.

But before she could take another step, a sudden gust of wind swept past, swirling her skirt around her legs.

A single white petal drifted through the air.

Ruby’s lips curled into a faint, fleeting smile. After all, Sylas had played a small but important part at Northridge Manor earlier that day. She’d tried to keep him at arm’s length, but it felt wrong to pretend he wasn’t there at all.

Sylas’s sharp hearing picked up on the hurried whispers, and he looked even more determined to get inside.

Pamela saw his intent and rolled her eyes dramatically, mouth drooping in resignation.

Ruby, though confused, decided to back up Pamela’s story. “Pamela says someone’s inside. Maybe it really isn’t a good time for visitors. Let’s do this another day.”

“No.”

Sylas cut her off abruptly. “You don’t know who’s in there. What if it’s dangerous?”

Ruby was caught off guard, at a loss for words.

Sylas seemed about to press his point when, suddenly, the door swung open from the inside.

“It’s me.”