Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 373

If something had really happened to Mira that night, Cassian knew he would never forgive himself.

He bit down on his lip, the sharp tang of iron flooding his mouth.

“I’m sorry.”

The words were short. Quiet. Yet unbearably heavy.

Ruby’s fingers froze for a split second.

She turned her face away, letting the flicker of surprise vanish into the darkness.

“Leave.”

Her voice was soft as a feather, barely disturbing the air.

This time, Cassian didn’t protest.

After a moment of silence, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed in the hall.

The polished soles of his expensive shoes tapped out a rhythm of farewell.

Then the door clicked shut behind him.

Ruby lifted her eyes to the ceiling, her gaze unfocused and lost.

Cassian didn’t go far after leaving. He paused just outside the closed doors of Southgarde Estate, pressing a hand to his chest where his heart still hammered wildly.

He never imagined that Mira was his child.

He never imagined the agony Ruby had endured during her year behind bars.

He never imagined—

Regret and guilt crashed over him, threatening to drown him.

Back then, all he could see was Ruby stealing company secrets, getting arrested, and deserving whatever punishment followed.

But now… everything he thought he knew had been thrown into chaos.

Suddenly, a thought struck him, and his fists clenched tight.

No.

“Yes, sir.”

The call ended, leaving Cassian standing in the hush of midnight.

His steps slowed as he walked the long drive back toward Southgarde. Memories of Ruby flickered through his mind—moments, glances, words, everything they’d shared.

He couldn’t even say when it had happened, but he’d started to see her differently long ago.

The truth was, he’d only hated the way her family forced him into marriage, how she’d used every trick to keep him close.

But he couldn’t deny it anymore—he’d found himself drawn to her, time and again, by her strength and warmth.

If they’d had a little more time together, if that accident hadn’t happened a year ago… would Mira have been born the way she was? Would they have come to this?

But life never gives you do-overs.

Cassian wandered like a ghost, his dark coat swallowed by the night until he vanished from sight.

And Ruby—she no longer waited at the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of him, as she had so many nights before. When Cassian left this time, she simply turned back to her room.