Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 380

Ruby’s eyes glittered, cold and resolute.

She wouldn’t let Hanley and his cronies off the hook.

“Fanny, did you find anything?”

“I did!”

For once, the usually calm voice on the other end of the line was laced with excitement.

Ruby leaned in, pressing for details. Fanny’s reply came quickly, brimming with disdain and fury: “The Grayson Group’s stock has completely crashed, yet Hanley still has the nerve to lounge around at a hotel.”

Ruby’s grip on her phone tightened, a bitter smile curling at her lips.

“Make sure your people get clear photos. All of this will make crucial evidence later.”

“Got it,” Fanny replied quickly. “I have to go—things are getting busy here.”

After a few more quick instructions, Ruby hung up.

With everything in motion, a weight lifted from her chest. She bent to pick up Mira from her stroller, cradling her gently as she strolled through the garden.

Maybe it was the birds fluttering among the tree branches overhead that caught Mira’s attention—she babbled, reaching her tiny hands out, grasping at the air beyond the fence.

Ruby carried her outside.

Only when she stepped out onto the lawn did Ruby realize it wasn’t just her imagination.

A tall figure stood beneath the cold hush of early morning, the air around him rimmed with frost. The man’s eyes were shadowed with dark rings.

Ruby’s gaze faltered for a fleeting second before she looked away, pretending not to notice.

But the figure made no move to let her pass—instead, he stepped squarely into her path.

Ruby straightened, holding Mira close, her back ramrod straight.

“Cassian, what are you doing here?”

Cassian pressed his bloodless lips together, silent.

Ruby, growing impatient, tried to shift direction and walk around him.

“Give me another chance, Ruby. Please.”

His voice was barely a whisper, but Ruby heard every word.

A mocking smile flickered at the corner of her mouth, her eyes glinting with sarcasm.

She turned slightly, meeting Cassian’s gaze head-on—his eyes were genuine, pleading.

“Let me make it right. Let me take care of you and the baby. I know you’ve suffered so much. But she… she shouldn’t have to grow up without a father.”

When Ruby didn’t answer, Cassian poured out everything he’d kept inside, desperate.

But when he looked up, he found nothing but cold, empty eyes staring back.

For a moment, it felt like the ground vanished beneath him.

Cassian clenched his fists at his sides, trembling.

“Then… can I at least see Mira?”

He looked up, unwilling to give up, his eyes quietly pleading.

Ruby’s expression shifted for just a moment.

Had she ever seen the mighty Mr. Veyne look so vulnerable?

Cassian’s gaze lingered on the bundle in her arms, hoping—just for a glimpse, trusting in Ruby’s old softness.

But instead, she drew Mira closer, shielding her daughter from his view.

Her eyes were icy, warning him off.

“Cassian, aside from a shared bloodline, you and Mira have nothing to do with each other.”

She turned her face away, merciless. “There’s no reason for you to see her.”

Whatever hope Cassian had been holding onto finally slipped away.

He hung his head, his whole body sagging with defeat.

Mira, nestled in her mother’s arms, seemed to sense the tension. Her tiny body trembled.

Ruby stroked her back, soothing her gently. Only when she looked down at Mira did the ice in her eyes melt away, revealing a warmth she reserved for her daughter alone.