Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 361

After all, what father would smear his own child’s name?

Online, public opinion was sharply divided. When Hanley released a surveillance video, the opposing side fell silent—only for an even greater wave of abuse to erupt in its wake.

The footage showed Ruby at Grayson Manor that morning.

It had been deliberately edited to make it look as though she’d orchestrated Pamela into threatening the Graysons, while Gennifer stood by, pleading with her to stop. In the end, Frieda reluctantly handed over Ruby’s grandmother’s belongings, tears shining in her eyes.

If Ruby had seen it first, she would’ve laughed at how clumsy their tactics were. But the reality was, countless people online believed every second of it.

They flooded her account, venting their outrage.

“A daughter this ungrateful—never mind her supposed talent, people like her don’t deserve admiration.”

“Shows how little you really know someone. I never imagined she could be like this.”

“Boycott Ruby’s designs!”

The internet was in chaos, but on Ruby’s end, everything was eerily quiet. Only Garrison seemed to be shouldering the mounting pressure alone.

Meanwhile, Cassian’s office felt shrouded in gloom.

Knock, knock.

Gennifer, unable to hide her excitement, rapped on the door. “Cassian?”

As soon as Bennett cracked it open, she eagerly poked her head inside.

“Mr. Veyne is in the records room.”

Gennifer was so giddy she didn’t even stop to wonder why Cassian was there—she simply turned and hurried off to find him.

Before long, the divorce papers landed in Cassian’s hands. On the bookshelf above his shoulder still sat the file that Cameron Lockridge had shoved there in a hurry.

“Cassian, Ruby asked me to give you this,” Gennifer announced, both nervous and delighted as she watched his expression.

Cassian’s face was clouded, his fingertips trembling where they brushed his slacks.

So impatient? She’d just moved out, and already the divorce agreement was in his hands.

“Did she say anything?” he asked, his lips barely moving, doing his best to keep his face impassive.

“She said she’s never really thought that much of you,” Gennifer replied, feigning reluctance.

Cassian’s grip tightened, crumpling the pristine agreement.

“Leave,” he said coldly.

Gennifer was a little confused by his chilly tone, but one glance at those dark, haunted eyes made her heart race. Muttering under her breath, she slipped out.

The records room fell silent.

Cassian slumped against the bookshelf, nearly collapsing.

Just then, a file slipped from the bottom shelf and landed squarely on his shoe.

He shot it a withering look—but then, something on the file made his gaze freeze.

Snatching it up, he spread the pages on the floor.

He sat there in his expensive suit, dignity forgotten, scanning the text line by line. The further he read, the more his eyes blazed with barely-contained fury.

Night had fallen, thick clouds smothering the city, as if the whole world were being squeezed into darkness.

...

Startled, she wondered when she’d learned that lullaby. If she remembered right… it was one Frieda used to sing to comfort Gennifer, back when Ruby would hide in the corner, listening and slowly learning the words herself.

Her fingers tightened.

She was Frieda’s real daughter—so why had Frieda always favored Gennifer over her?

Would she regret it, once the truth finally came out?

No.

Regret didn’t matter anymore.

Thud-thud-thud.

Sudden, frantic knocking shook her from her thoughts, breaking the rhythm of Mira’s bedtime.

Who could be in such a hurry at this hour?

Still holding Mira, Ruby opened the door. A blast of alcohol and cold night air hit her as Cassian stood on the threshold, his eyes bloodshot.

She hadn’t expected him, but after a moment’s thought, it made sense.

Understanding or not, she refused to let him in. She tried to close the door, but Cassian braced it with his hand.

Ruby strained, but he didn’t budge.

“What do you want?” she finally snapped, irritation clear in her voice.

“A year ago—what really happened?” Cassian demanded.

Ruby froze, her hand still on the door.