Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 346

Garrison Cloud strode in, dressed casually for once, his hair tousled and falling into his eyes instead of slicked back with gel as usual. It was clear from his hurried entrance that something was wrong.

"How is she?" he asked, his typically composed face etched with concern.

Garrison and Sylas stood on either side of Ruby’s hospital bed, so focused on her that they didn’t spare a glance for anyone else in the room.

Ruby hadn’t expected these two to show up for her, but she simply shook her head in silence.

Garrison let out a relieved sigh, straightening up and sweeping the room with a piercing gaze. His eyes paused briefly on Cassian before moving on.

“Everyone, let’s remember—forcing someone to donate blood is illegal.”

The tension in his features melted away, replaced by the commanding presence of a man used to giving orders.

Hanley stared at Garrison in disbelief, as if the world had turned upside down.

What on earth was Mr. Caldwell doing here? And how did Ruby know him?

Questions tumbled through his mind, and he opened his mouth to ask, but Garrison shot him a warning glare that immediately shut him up. Hanley swallowed his words, cowed.

“What do you mean ‘forcing’ her?” Frieda snapped. “Ruby injured Gennifer—she should take responsibility!”

“Should?” Sylas let out a cold laugh and rose to his full height, casting a dark shadow over Frieda. He looked down at her with open contempt, silencing whatever complaint she was about to voice.

Gennifer, clearly not expecting her scheme to be disrupted, began to cough violently, drawing everyone’s attention.

Hanley and Frieda rushed to her side. “Gennifer! What’s wrong? Are you feeling worse?”

The nurse at her side called for a doctor, her voice rising in panic. “Miss Gennifer’s condition was already critical. Only our advanced treatments have kept her stable. If she doesn’t get surgery soon, her life is in danger!”

Hanley didn’t know who these men were or what their connection to Ruby was, but with the situation growing more urgent, he waved his hand decisively. “Prepare for surgery! Use Ruby’s blood!”

“I’m her father. I have the right!”

His face was dark with authority, and Ruby watched him with quiet resignation. He was the same overbearing figure she remembered from childhood—a constant, suffocating presence.

He fixed his gaze on Ruby, who stood behind her defenders, her face blank and distant. Where had his docile, obedient daughter gone? Had she really changed so much?

“Ruby, this all started because of you. If you won’t give blood to save Gennifer, I’ll never forgive you,” Hanley said, locking eyes with her, waiting for her to break down or plead for his approval.

But Ruby didn’t move a muscle. Her eyes betrayed no emotion, no hint of the desperate longing he expected.

A heavy silence fell over the room, broken only by Ruby’s sudden, sharp laugh.

“Forgive me?” Her voice was laced with scorn and sorrow, the words heavy with disappointment.

She lifted her head, the hint of a smile disappearing. “Dad, this is the last time I’ll call you that. From now on, it’s me who has to decide whether or not I can forgive you.”

With that, she stood up.

Sylas, quick to catch her meaning, jumped up and tossed aside the rope that had been loosely tying her down.

Ruby dusted off her hands and straightened her back, every movement calm and resolute.