Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 333

No sooner had Ruby sat down than her phone lit up with a call.

“I heard you’ve been discharged. How are you feeling?”

Victor’s voice was crisp, instantly recognizable.

Ruby’s pencil kept moving as she sketched. “Nothing serious. What about your case with Farrar? Any progress?”

“The third hearing’s the day after tomorrow. I was wondering if you’d be able to make it.”

Victor fiddled absently with the court summons in his hand.

Ever since Ruby was found safe, public opinion online had shifted in their favor. Under mounting pressure, the court had agreed to reopen the case for a third trial.

The outcome, however, was practically a foregone conclusion—especially since, according to Victor, Judge Fanny would be presiding.

“If it’s Fanny, all you need to do is show up, go through the motions, and wait for the verdict in your favor,” Ruby said with utter confidence.

Victor paused, the tension in his voice easing into a playful tone. “You really trust her, don’t you?”

“She’s earned it.” Ruby’s reply was firm, leaving no room for doubt.

Victor went quiet for a moment. “I heard Gennifer’s involved in all this. I’m not sure if she’ll show up in court tomorrow, which is why I was hoping you could be there too.”

His explanation was calm and clear, and Ruby felt a gentle warmth bloom in her chest.

So that’s what this is about.

But…

She pictured Gennifer’s swollen face, her eyes barely visible, and a smile tugged at Ruby’s lips. “Unless something miraculous happens, she won’t be making an appearance.”

Victor raised an eyebrow, letting out an “Oh?” but didn’t press for details.

Just as Ruby was about to end the call, another incoming call flashed across her screen.

It was an unfamiliar number.

She ignored it for the moment and updated Victor that she wouldn’t be coming into the institute for the next few days.

Victor assured her it was fine—she was free to come and go as she pleased.

Meanwhile, the unknown caller kept dialing relentlessly.

Ruby frowned, finally ending her call with Victor and switching over.

“You—” the caller began.

“Let me handle him,” Sylas cut in, dismissing the question and promptly hanging up.

Ruby stared at her phone as the line went dead, the dial tone echoing in her ears. She set it aside with little thought.

So Cassian had drunk himself under the table again. She’d already made up her mind to separate for good, and with Sylas on the scene, she saw no reason to get involved.

Her gaze drifted to the left, to a stack of papers—a finalized divorce agreement, ready and waiting.

It was time to move forward.

Ruby was done being tangled up with Cassian, and she absolutely refused to become Gennifer’s imaginary rival, dragging herself and those around her into needless trouble.

Pulling herself back to the present, Ruby focused on her sketches, letting the rest of the world slip away.

Meanwhile, Sylas sat face-to-face with Cassian in the bar’s second-floor lounge.

The place was anything but quiet, even in this more refined corner above the chaos.

Cassian had sobered up a bit, but his words were tinged with irritation. “What are you doing here?”