Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 49

Cassian couldn't quite remember how he ended up back in the car.

Bennett glanced over, worry etched across his face as he observed the shadow hanging over Cassian's expression. "Mr. Veyne, did you see your wife? She refused to come back with us, didn't she?"

He craned his neck to check the backseat, but it was empty.

"Are there any houses for rent nearby?" Cassian asked suddenly.

The unexpected question caught Bennett off guard, but he quickly gathered himself and nodded. "This neighborhood's been around for a while—quite a few places get rented out to students and interns from the university."

"Find a place," Cassian said, his gaze distant, unfocused, lingering somewhere between memory and longing. "I want to be able to see this street."

Bennett, ever the discreet assistant, knew better than to pry. Though he didn't fully understand, he nodded and made a mental note.

Cassian lapsed into silence, sitting motionless as a statue, his eyes fixed on the darkened window across the street. He didn't move, didn't speak. Only when he finally rubbed a hand wearily over his brow did he break the spell.

"Let's go," he said quietly.

At Cassian's signal, Bennett started the car and pulled away, the vehicle slipping into the hush of the night.

—

That night, Mira was unusually restless; Ruby didn't manage to get her to sleep until the small hours.

The next morning dawned bright and clear, shafts of sunlight spilling through the windows.

Knock, knock.

Ruby rubbed her eyes, sitting up in bed as someone rapped on her door.

Cameron Lockridge stood on the threshold, his smile as fresh as the little pine tree perched on the windowsill.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with a kind of gentle mischief.

Ruby couldn't help but yawn, hastily covering her mouth. "You seem to be in a good mood this morning," she replied, smiling apologetically.

Her response made Cameron pause, a flicker of uncertainty passing through his gaze. He glanced behind her, searching for something.

Ruby couldn't help but laugh. "Isn't this a bit much for just the two of us?"

Cameron scratched his head, looking sheepish. "I read online that even after having a baby, moms need plenty of good food to recover. I wasn't sure what you liked, so I made a little of everything."

Ruby nearly burst out laughing at his awkward sincerity, but instead felt a wave of warmth wash over her. She'd never expected that, after everything she'd been through, the intern she'd once helped would be the one looking after her with such care.

Life really does take strange turns.

She sighed softly, savoring a bite of tender scrambled eggs, finding a quiet joy in these peaceful, ordinary moments. She made a silent promise to herself: she'd find a way to repay Cameron for all his kindness.

"Don't you have work today?" she asked, sounding almost motherly as they made small talk over breakfast.

The moment the question left her lips, she paused, a little embarrassed. After all, Cameron was technically her landlord now—she probably shouldn't act so familiar.

Ruby winced inwardly, but Cameron didn't seem to mind. He gave her an easygoing smile. "I own a private law firm, but I'm rarely at the office. I usually just stop by Veyne & Co. in the afternoon for a brief meeting."

"In the mornings, I like to play some tennis or do a little cooking. We're running low on groceries, actually—I'll have to go shopping later. Want to come with me, Ruby?"