Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 514

“Mom, you’re the best,” Gennifer murmured, snuggling into Frieda’s arms with a smile. Her voice turned gentle and pleading. “But… Mom, could you do me a little favor? Can you let Ruby come home?”

At once, Frieda pressed her hand to Gennifer’s forehead. “Did you get hit so hard you’re running a fever? After everything she’s done to you, you still want her back home?”

Gennifer nodded, her tone soft and sincere. “I’ve thought about it a lot, and I just can’t shake the feeling that our family is only whole when we’re all together. Sure, I was a bit upset after what happened with Ruby, but with you here, I don’t feel that way anymore. And… she’s your daughter too. Seeing how you’ve been lately, it hurts me, Mom. Maybe if Ruby came home, you’d be happier too.”

Her words were gentle, unusually considerate.

Frieda looked at Gennifer’s earnest face, and a bittersweet ache rose in her chest.

Thank goodness she’d adopted Gennifer. If she’d only had Ruby—the rebellious one—she’d have either died of stress or loneliness by now.

“Alright. If that’s what you want, I’ll agree. But after everything Ruby’s done, even if she does come back, I can’t just forgive her overnight.”

Frieda turned away, feigning indifference.

Gennifer beamed. “Of course! Just let her come home and make it up to you, Mom.”

Only then did Frieda’s heart ease a little.

“Excuse me, is Mrs. Frieda here?”

A sudden knock on the hospital room door interrupted them.

Hanley stood in the doorway, holding a bouquet of pristine white lilies.

Both women looked up at the sound. The moment Frieda saw Hanley, her eyes flickered, but she quickly schooled her expression into its usual composure.

But that flicker was enough—enough to remind her of the office gossip: Hanley hadn’t been at the company for days. He’d lied to her.

Frieda’s face grew frosty without her noticing.

Hanley, dressed in a sharp black suit, looked every bit the dignified man, though the stress of recent weeks had left him grayer and more tired than before. Today, though, he seemed revitalized.

“Gennifer, your dad’s here.”

He smiled warmly, the picture of a caring father.

“Dad? What are you doing here? How did you even know which hospital I was in?”

Gennifer was surprised, but her eyes lit up with delight.

After all, Hanley had been unusually distant lately—not a word beyond work and business.

“How could I not come when you’re hurt?” Hanley chided gently, setting the flowers next to her bed. But his gaze lingered on Frieda. “Frieda, thank you for everything.”

“You’re bleeding,” she pointed out, a little bemused by this odd man. She was proud, but couldn’t help saying something.

Watching him fuss over the flowers, Frieda found herself unexpectedly intrigued. She allowed herself another look.

“You don’t work here, do you?” she asked.

Hanley froze, then offered a sheepish smile. “No, I’m just here to buy some flowers myself.”

Hanley’s eyes flickered; he scratched his head, a little embarrassed. “I just thought they’d suit you.”

He handed her another rose, this one larger and more vibrant than the last, the petals a deep, irresistible red.

“Me and a rose, huh?” Frieda twirled it between her fingers, arching an eyebrow.

A rose—so common, so ordinary. How could that possibly suit her?

She let go. The heavy bloom hit the floor, collecting dust, instantly becoming the shop’s saddest flower.