Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 456

“Grandpa, I’ve never once forgotten who I am.”

Sylas’s voice was low, rough around the edges, as if worn down by sleepless nights.

Only then did his grandfather’s steely gaze finally relent. The old man nodded, satisfied. “As long as you remember. Since your mother disagrees, you’ll stay at the office for now.”

He took a slow sip of tea, eyes narrowing as he savored the aroma, signaling that the conversation was over.

The table fell silent. For all the formality of a family dinner, warmth was in short supply. Each person picked at their exquisitely plated meal, but the food might as well have been dust; no one tasted anything.

Sylas pressed his lips together, lowering his head so his hair fell to shadow his eyes, hiding the struggle and sorrow that flickered there.

It felt as if a cold hand gripped his heart, squeezing so tightly that the pressure climbed into his throat, threatening to suffocate him.

In that daze, a face flashed through his mind—delicate, with a hint of boldness that lingered in his memory. His fingers curled unconsciously.

How long had it been since he’d last seen her? Not long at all—and already he missed her.

…

Quinborough Apartments.

“Well? What’s the news?”

Violet clung excitedly to Hanley’s arm, craning her neck to peer at his phone screen.

Hanley glanced at the message, then narrowed his eyes. “The wedding dress estimate is finally in, but they want me to come down to the agency in person.”

Violet frowned. “Can’t they just tell you the price over the phone? Why bother making you go all the way there?”

Hanley massaged his temples, frustration prickling beneath his calm. Ruby had been strangely quiet. By all rights, that should be a good thing—it meant she couldn’t refute the story they’d put out to the world. But this uneasy calm only left him more on edge.

“I’ll go, it’s fine,” he exhaled, letting out a tense breath. “But even if the dress is appraised, it’s still locked away at the house. No way to get it out now.”

At that, Violet huffed. “You’re the one who spoils her. She said she wanted to live separately, and you actually moved out of the house.”

Hanley smiled, tapping Violet’s nose. “Gave me a chance to spend more time with you, didn’t it?”

Hanley grinned, pulling Violet in closer. “Violet, the Steele family is no ordinary bunch—they’re a gold mine.”

Violet’s heart thudded in her chest, stirred by Hanley’s words.

“They always looked down on me. Frieda was their own daughter, but just because they despised me, they tossed her out of the Steele family.”

Hanley’s jaw clenched at the memory. “If I’m leaving Veytura for good, I’m going to make them pay for everything they did to me all those years ago.”

Violet looked up, catching the anger in his expression, but said nothing more. Instead, she lowered her gaze, her hand unconsciously resting on her stomach, nerves twisting inside her.

Was this child really meant to be?

She clenched her fist, lost in thought.

Sensing her silence, Hanley patted her back. “Trust me, Violet. Just a little longer. Once I’ve bled the Steele family dry, I’ll take you and the baby far away.”

His eyes grew tender, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. “We grew up together, remember? If I hadn’t been chasing Frieda’s money and status, I’d never have left you. Because of her, you had to live overseas for years and take all that hardship. I owe it to you to make things right.”