Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 340

“Let’s cut ties. I have no mother, no father—might as well be dead to me.”

Ruby Grayson’s knuckles whitened around her phone, years of resentment rising in her like molten lava threatening to erupt.

If not for her grandmother, she would have cut off the Graysons long ago.

“No wonder you turned out this way—with that old hag raising you, what else could anyone expect? You’ll never be half as decent as Gennifer.”

“Hanley Grayson, that’s enough!”

Her voice sliced through the air, sharp with fury at the way Hanley spat out her grandmother’s name.

“Who are you to even mention her?” Ruby’s eyes narrowed. “Sometimes I wonder if my own father’s a stranger. When I was in prison, you couldn’t wait to disown me. The Grayson family disgusts me.”

“Oh? So you don’t want your grandmother’s things anymore?”

Hanley thought he’d finally found her weak spot. He schooled his features into a cold, patriarchal mask, his earlier agitation giving way to smug authority. “If you want them, come to Veyne Private Medical Center and donate blood for Gennifer. Otherwise, I’ll torch the lot.”

His tone left no room for argument, as if Ruby owed Gennifer Grayson her very existence.

Hatred simmered in Ruby at his arrogance, but the mention of her grandmother’s belongings twisted a knife in her heart.

The phone’s insistent ringing had already woken Mira, but the little girl, sensing Ruby’s heavy mood, simply stared up at her with wide, silent eyes.

Ruby’s grip on her phone tightened until she tasted blood on her tongue.

Her long silence only made Hanley’s lips curl in triumph, like a general savoring victory.

He lifted his chin, supremely confident he’d cornered her. “Luxury suite, third floor. I won’t wait.”

Everyone in the Grayson family knew just how much Ruby valued her grandmother’s keepsakes.

“What’s the rush?” Ruby finally replied, her voice glacial. “Is Gennifer dying already?”

A bitter laugh escaped her. “Let me know when she’s dead—maybe I’ll consider coming to the funeral.”

A cold, mocking smile tugged at Ruby’s lips.

Even if her grandmother were alive, she’d never want Ruby to let herself be blackmailed by the Graysons, not for any inheritance.

“I might even set off fireworks to celebrate.”

Gennifer squirmed under his gaze, forcing a small smile. “I’m fine, Daddy. It doesn’t hurt.”

She knew Ruby would never come—but she hadn’t expected it to work so well.

Suppressing a laugh, she winced as she pulled at her wound.

Hanley, thinking he’d hurt her, let go in alarm and reached for the nurse’s call button.

Gennifer caught his hand. “Daddy!”

She shook her head, smiling bravely. “I’m okay, really.”

The show of strength only made Hanley’s heart ache more.

“Sis isn’t coming, is she? Don’t blame her, Daddy. It’s my fault—she only got angry at me, that’s why she lashed out.”

Gennifer’s words, so carefully chosen, served as a pointed reminder.

And just like that, Hanley’s anger shifted.