Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 36

Ruby looked at him as if he'd just told the world's most ridiculous joke—her laughter cold and sharp, every word laced with biting sarcasm. "I forgot? Oh, I could never forget, Morgan. Wouldn't dare, in fact. After all, haven't you already squeezed every last drop out of me?"

"Honestly, just the sight of you makes me sick."

"So do me a favor and stay the hell out of my life."

She glared at Morgan, her tone unyielding, every syllable landing like a gavel. For the first time, Morgan managed to meet her gaze—those clear, unflinching eyes that now held nothing but contempt for him, that icy finality of someone who'd already closed the door.

His breath caught, his heart thudding painfully in his chest. Her words hung in the air, leaving no room for doubt.

Just then, a nurse called out. Ruby turned away without another glance, scooping up Mira and heading into the examination room.

"The fever's gone down. Chest x-ray looks clear," the doctor said after a few moments, offering Ruby a reassuring smile.

Relief flooded her. She thanked the doctor and nurse, nodding gratefully before hurrying toward the exit—smooth and certain in her movements, as if all the chaos in her life had been distilled into this one moment of escape.

Morgan was left standing in the hallway, utterly forgotten. He stared after her, unwilling to give up, still able to glimpse the child's profile as Ruby receded into the distance.

She looked so much like Cassian.

Just the resemblance made his chest tighten with frustration.

He clenched his fists, the emotion in his eyes only intensifying. Obsession flickered there—a wild, unyielding determination. Rue, he thought, maybe he'd been powerless before, but things were different now. He had the means to choose, to protect what he loved.

She would have to rely on him. She had no other choice.

Slowly, he released his grip, his face smoothing into that familiar mask of gentleness. It didn't matter, really. As long as Cassian never found her, he had all the time in the world to make her understand how he felt.

But the nurse eyed him warily, sensing something off. Morgan rapped his knuckles lightly on the counter. "Delete her appointment record from today."

She hesitated, glancing at his impeccable suit and the air of authority he carried. Finally, she nodded. "Yes, Mr. Blackwood."

Ruby's fingers trembled around Mira, a sharp ache throbbing at her temple.

"You're mistaken."

"Oh, Ruby, how could your own sister possibly mistake you?"

Gennifer's gaze bore into her, relentless and searching, as if she could peel away every layer Ruby tried to hide behind.

"You're making a mistake," Ruby mumbled again, keeping her head down, clutching Mira tighter, shielding the baby's face from view.

Her voice had grown rough, tired, and faintly desperate. The plain, worn clothes she wore only made her look more defeated, more invisible.

Gennifer frowned, eyeing the bundle in Ruby's arms. Could she really have been wrong?

After all, this was just a woman with a child—nothing more.