Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 394

Ruby lifted her gaze, fixing Cassian with a look so cold it was as if he were nothing but a lifeless object.

Under that icy stare, Cassian felt as if he'd been plunged into a frozen lake.

Sylas narrowed his eyes slightly, his attention dropping to the hand he'd just withdrawn from Ruby's grasp.

Turning away, Ruby left the room. This time, not a single person tried to stop her.

The bathroom was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop.

Violet’s brow was deeply furrowed.

The moment Cassian walked in, his eyes had gone straight to Ruby. Even after all this time, he hadn't given her daughter so much as a glance.

Sensing something was off, Violet tilted her head and shot a sideways look at Gennifer. Sure enough, Gennifer’s face was drained of all color.

“Mr. Veyne, let’s continue this conversation in the dining room,” Hanley said, fighting off a headache but forcing himself to play the host.

Cassian’s frosty gaze scanned the crowd inside, lingering briefly on their awkward postures before moving on.

“Fine,” he replied, his tone as cold as ice.

With that, he strode out of the bathroom.

The moment that suffocating presence disappeared, Gennifer could no longer hide her resentment; she hissed, “Ruby!”

Violet gently rubbed her daughter’s back, trying to soothe her, though her mind was miles away.

If the photos in Ruby’s hand ever got out, it wouldn’t matter if Hanley took full control of Grayson Enterprises. Even as the largest shareholder and chairman, a scandal would drag the company’s reputation through the mud.

Violet and Hanley exchanged a brief, worried glance, each seeing their own anxiety reflected in the other.

When the group returned to the dining room, Cassian had chosen a seat far from everyone else—yet perfectly positioned to watch Ruby and Sylas at their table.

“So? How did it go?” someone asked.

While the drama unfolded in the bathroom, the rest of the meal had been served—desserts included.

Sylas nudged Ruby to try the cake, his eyes shining with anticipation.

The delicate tang and subtle sweetness melted together in her mouth, the familiar flavor triggering memories she tried hard to ignore.

Ruby’s hand froze midair, fork poised. She quickly lowered her head to dab at her lips, masking the flash of emotion in her eyes.

When she glanced up again, Sylas was still watching her, hopeful as ever. She nodded noncommittally, her tone polite and distant. “It’s good.”

Sylas stared at her, unwilling to give up, searching her face for any sign of something more.

But no matter how hard he looked, he couldn’t detect the slightest change in her expression.

Defeated, he finally tore his gaze away.

“What’s wrong?” Ruby asked, tilting her head in feigned confusion.

Sylas looked utterly crestfallen, but still managed a fragile smile and shook his head. That smile was paper-thin, threatening to tear at the slightest touch.

Cassian felt as if his heart were being wrung out in someone’s fist.

He watched Ruby’s back with a hunger he could hardly admit to himself.

Ever since he’d signed the divorce papers, she’d vanished from his life, as if she’d never existed at all.

The only reason he’d accepted Gennifer’s invitation tonight was because of the media storm raging around Ruby. Maybe out of guilt, he’d been looking for any excuse to uncover the truth about what happened a year ago. He hadn’t expected to actually see her here.

Now, watching Ruby and Sylas laughing and relaxing, Cassian felt a sharp, almost physical pain.

“Is there any wine?” he suddenly asked, startling the rest of the table.

Hanley recovered first. Though confused, he signaled the waiter to bring Cassian a drink.

Cassian downed his first glass in one gulp, but the haze in his eyes only deepened. If anything, he looked even more troubled.

Gennifer couldn’t help but speak up. “Cassian, you know drinking isn’t good for you.”

She reached out to stop him from pouring another, but Violet shot her a warning look and she hesitated.

One glass was nowhere near enough to cloud Cassian’s judgment, yet he seemed oblivious to Gennifer’s concern. His eyes never left Ruby, not even the flutter of her hair escaping his notice.

For the first time, Gennifer realized—he was pining for Ruby.

Her hands balled into fists beneath the table, and she nearly choked on her own resentment.