Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 466

He bit down on his lower lip, his face clouded with distress.

Ruby, however, looked at him coolly, making it clear she had no intention of taking back what she’d said.

“My parents moved away,” Asher finally muttered, staring at the floor.

“They moved?” Fanny’s face darkened with anger as she slammed her palm on the table. “What kind of parents do something so irresponsible? You’re just a kid! Why didn’t they take you with them?”

“No!”

Asher shot to his feet.

His chest heaved as he clenched his fists at his sides, as if only the sting of his nails digging into his palms could keep him grounded in reality.

Ever since his parents left, word had gotten around at school. The other kids mocked him, called him an abandoned orphan. But he knew that wasn’t the truth at all…

His sudden outburst drew stares from people nearby. Flushing bright red, he hurriedly sat down again and stared intently at Fanny. “They’re not irresponsible, okay? My parents—there was a reason they had to go!”

“A reason?” Ruby scoffed. “What possible reason could justify leaving your own kid behind?”

Meeting Ruby’s mocking eyes, Asher felt as if she’d slapped him across the face.

He bit his lip so hard it turned white, his whole body trembling.

Fanny, meanwhile, gently rubbed his back, as if to soothe him, but her words were anything but comforting. “You’re still young, so you think the best of people. But your parents… they don’t deserve to be called parents. It’s just a shame for you—”

“I’m not some charity case!”

Asher exploded all at once, all the humiliation and anger he’d bottled up at school bursting out.

He reminded everyone of a cornered animal, back hunched, eyes blazing with defiance as he glared at Ruby and Fanny. “My mom and dad are the best in the world! They left Stormhaven without me to keep me safe. You have no idea what’s really going on! Don’t you dare insult them!”

Ruby curled her lip into a cold smile. “I’m a parent myself. No matter what happens, I’d never leave my child behind.”

Asher snapped, “That’s because you’ve never been threatened before. You don’t know what it’s like to have someone scare you like that. So don’t judge them!”

Fanny’s expression changed instantly. She quickly crouched down and took his hand. “Sweetheart, what do you mean by ‘threatened’? Was someone threatening your parents? If something’s happened, you can tell me. I promise I’ll help.”

Looking at Fanny’s gentle face, Asher felt his anger and hurt soften, as if a warm hand was wrapping around his heart.

He stood there shaking, barely holding it together.

Not long ago, his whole world had turned into a nightmare.

A group of men had stormed into their house, smashing and throwing things. His mother had tried to stop them and was shoved to the ground.

The leader had his face hidden, his voice cold and unfamiliar: “Get Domingo out here!”

Asher’s father, who should have been working at the lumber mill, had rushed home after a frantic call from his wife.

On the phone, she’d tried to explain what was happening.

The memory left him cold and shaking all over again.

Ruby and Fanny exchanged a look.

“We can help you find your parents,” Ruby said quietly, crouching down to meet Asher’s eyes. “But you’ll need to come with us too. Will you do that?”

Asher frowned and took a cautious step back. “You wanted to find me all along. Didn’t you?”

Fanny’s eyes glimmered with admiration. She hadn’t expected this kid to be so sharp.

“That’s right,” Ruby said, nodding. “We’re going after the people who took your parents, but we need evidence. We need your help.”

Asher fell silent, his eyes lowered. His thick lashes cast long shadows on his pale cheeks.

For a long moment, it seemed like he would refuse.

Then he looked up, his gaze clear and determined. “Okay.”

Ruby and Fanny took care of the paperwork for Asher’s leave from school. By the time they brought him back to the hotel, dusk had already fallen.

As Ruby reached the second floor, she spotted a solitary figure crouched by her door.

Landon heard footsteps and looked up, worry etched on his face. The moment he recognized Ruby, his eyes lit up with relief.