Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 525

“If Mrs. Grayson doesn’t know how to treat her guests, maybe she should go see to Gennifer instead.”

With a sideways glance, he tightened his grip on Ruby’s arm and strode inside.

Frieda trembled with anger at his words.

They’d hurt Gennifer, and now they swaggered around in front of her, using Gennifer as a threat!

Ruby didn’t stop until they reached the living room, safely out of Frieda’s line of sight. She gave Sylas a light jab in the side. “With a mouth like that, aren’t you worried she’ll come flying at you and claw your face off?”

She was clearly teasing him.

Sylas chuckled along, though his eyes weren’t quite as relaxed as his smile. But in a heartbeat, he slipped back into his usual roguish banter with Ruby.

He took her chin, turning her to face him, and gave her a wink that practically begged for trouble. “And what then? If she scratches up my face and you stop liking me, Rue, I might as well be dead.”

He made it sound like a joke, like some charming rogue in an old film who’d flirt with a girl even as he made his escape.

But when Ruby caught the flash of sincerity in his gaze, her heart—long kept under lock and key—felt as if someone had hammered on it.

“Then go die, for all I care.”

She swallowed, suddenly flustered, and turned away with a huff.

“Cold as ever.”

Sylas didn’t seem the least bit bothered, only grinned and followed after her, indulgent as always.

Pearl trailed behind, her steps slow as she passed the spot where the two had just stood. She watched their back-and-forth with furrowed brows, worry clouding her face.

At some point, Frieda had come up behind her. “Pearl, is that really why you and Uncle came? Just to back her up?”

Her tone was sharp, resentful.

Pearl kept her back to Frieda. The warmth that had filled her eyes moments ago faded, replaced by a distant coolness. She finally turned around.

Hanley hurried off toward the living room, intent on preparing refreshments for the guests. Frieda lingered by the doorway.

Pearl took a long, searching look at her.

Frieda was wearing a designer dress that was a good five years out of style.

“If you hadn’t refused to let Hanley marry me, hadn’t schemed with my mother to stop us, then Aunt and Uncle never would have made me leave the Steele family!”

She was practically shouting by the end.

Pearl froze, staring at the sister she’d looked after and protected for as long as she could remember—and now, that same sister was glaring at her, spitting out decades of resentment.

“Fine.”

A wave of regret and exhaustion washed over Pearl, leaving her hollow. She let out a shaky laugh.

Frieda saw the change in her face and, for a split second, looked almost afraid.

Pearl exhaled slowly, locking eyes with Frieda. “Your life is your own. From now on, I won’t interfere.”

It was the promise Frieda had secretly longed for all these years. But as the words sank in, it felt less like a weight being lifted and more like something shattering inside her.

With a thunderous finality.