Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 348

“Dad, now that you’re back… Even though Ruby won’t donate blood for me, she’s always treasured Grandma’s keepsakes. You should return them to her.”

Hanley looked at Gennifer, touched by her thoughtfulness, which only made him resent Ruby more. “Gennifer, after everything she’s done to you, you’re still so considerate. You’re just as kind as your mother.”

He stopped mid-sentence, a flicker of emotion crossing his eyes before he changed the subject abruptly. “But this is something I can’t do for you. If she insists on going against me, then I won’t give her the satisfaction.”

Frieda looked confused for a moment, but quickly chimed in, “She’s the one who wants to cut ties with the Graysons—why should she have anything that belongs to this family?”

“And I heard my mom left her a huge inheritance. If she’s not a Grayson, and not my sister, then she should give back every penny.”

Frieda lifted her chin, her words laced with open resentment toward Ruby.

Gennifer let out a soft, regretful “oh,” her face full of guilt, as if she’d done something wrong in trying to help.

But as she lowered her gaze, her long lashes shadowed her eyes, hiding the glint of barely contained triumph.

Ruby, you got lucky this time. But next time? We’ll see if things go your way.

The room was still echoing with curses thrown at Ruby, and it wasn’t until Bennett arrived that the noise finally died down.

Meanwhile, Cassian had left and was wandering the hospital halls, but even after a long walk, he hadn’t yet made it to the exit.

Just as he stepped outside, he spotted a familiar silhouette and, almost without thinking, stopped in his tracks to watch.

“Rue, did I do well?”

Sylas could barely contain himself the moment they left the operating room, winking at Ruby.

“Rue?” Garrison repeated, frowning slightly, annoyance in his voice.

Sylas glanced at him, his smile fading a little.

Ruby suddenly thought of Sylas whispering in her ear back in surgery, and a faint blush crept across her cheeks.

“Ahem, aren’t you two going back?” She cleared her throat, trying to change the subject.

Sylas’ gaze landed on Ruby again, eyes lighting up. “Didn’t you say we’re storming the Grayson place? Don’t worry, Rue, there’s nothing I can’t get my hands on.”

He almost wagged his tail like an eager puppy, but those sharp, cold eyes made it clear he was no pushover.

Garrison shot Sylas a sidelong glance, feeling a strange pang of jealousy watching the two interact. He couldn’t help but wonder—was he simply too old, and that’s why Ruby kept her distance?

“That won’t be necessary,” Ruby said, half exasperated, half amused.

If Sylas got involved, he’d probably turn the Grayson estate upside down.

Silence hung in the air. Ruby almost thought she’d imagined it—until she heard the slow, measured footsteps approaching.

“Sorry,” came a man’s low voice.

Ruby’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Aren’t you worried, Mr. Veyne? Shouldn’t you be back at Gennifer’s side, afraid she’ll die without someone to save her?”

Her tone was mocking, and the curve of her lips was sharp as a blade.

Cassian’s brow furrowed tightly. “Ruby, how could you say that?”

Ruby let out a bitter laugh, clearly done with this conversation.

But Cassian followed, refusing to let her go. “Don’t blame me. I didn’t know you were the one who donated blood to Gennifer.”

“If I’d known…”

“So what? Now you do.” Ruby shrugged, her expression unreadable.

She’d long since stopped caring what Cassian thought of her.

“Go home, Mr. Veyne. It’s time we started talking about our divorce.”