Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 396

“Keep up.”

Ruby lowered her voice and caught Sylas by the wrist, pulling him quickly in the same direction Gennifer had just gone.

Sylas followed almost without hesitation, letting Ruby lead him with barely half a step between them.

As they hurried down the hall, he couldn’t help but glance at her hand wrapped around his wrist. Her pale fingers gripped him firmly, the pressure shifting just enough with every stride to remind him she was there.

A quiet thrill rippled through Sylas—he tried to hide it, but failed. His eyes sparkled with anticipation.

“Ahem. That’s The Celestine Grand Hotel just ahead. I’m guessing that’s where they’re headed.”

Spotting the uncertainty flickering on Ruby’s face, Sylas cleared his throat, voice just above a whisper.

Ruby instantly caught on, picking up her pace and towing him along.

Sylas let himself be dragged, a self-satisfied grin playing on his lips. He’d never admit it, but he was enjoying every second.

When they arrived at the entrance to The Celestine Grand Hotel, two staff members were just about to close up for the night.

Ruby strode forward and intercepted them. “Did someone just come in? A man and a woman—he should’ve been drunk.”

The staff exchanged surprised glances at the sudden intrusion.

They blinked, struggling to mask their anxiety. “May I ask who you are? I’m afraid we can’t disclose our guests’ whereabouts.”

They put on a show of professional difficulty, but Ruby was sharp—she immediately picked up on their unease.

“I’m here on official business. I’d appreciate your cooperation.”

Her tone dropped, calm and authoritative, as she slid a court-issued ID across the counter. The kind Fanny had reminded her to carry, just in case.

The staff took one look. District Court of Quinborough. What was a judge doing here?

They exchanged a loaded glance, the weight of the situation settling in.

Before they could recover, Sylas casually tossed a gleaming black credit card onto the counter. “The man inside is my uncle. He’s there with a woman whose intentions are questionable. I have every right to check on him.”

Sylas looked down at them, his posture commanding, arrogance radiating from every inch of him. The staff shrank beneath his gaze, stealing a glance at his face—and yes, he did look remarkably like Cassian Veyne.

Besides, there was only one person in Quinborough with a black diamond card like that: Mr. Veyne. If this man could produce it, he was probably telling the truth.

And that face—they’d seen it on the news, hadn’t they? Cassian’s nephew.

But hadn’t Miss Gennifer just gone inside? She and Mr. Veyne had been the subject of rumors for a year now. With Cassian’s recent divorce making headlines, everyone expected Gennifer to become the next Mrs. Veyne. That’s why they’d agreed to her private booking at such a bargain. But if that’s the case, why did Cassian’s nephew seem so dissatisfied with her?

Was this just a dream?

“Cassian,” Gennifer whispered, leaning close and speaking softly in his ear.

She saw the longing in his expression, but heard him call out another woman’s name.

No matter how much Gennifer detested Ruby, she forced down her resentment for now.

So, Cassian had really fallen for Ruby?

Her nails dug into her palms, but she made herself mimic Ruby’s every gesture.

Mom was right.

Cassian loved Ruby because of that one night. Now that he knew Ruby’s daughter was his own, he was starting to regret everything. But if Gennifer gave him a child too, wouldn’t he treat her the same way?

He’d love her, too… right?

“It’s me,” Gennifer whispered, heart racing, eyes fixed on Cassian’s lips.

She was so close she could smell the alcohol on his breath—so strong, it left her a little dizzy herself.