Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 534

Ruby’s eyes were sharp and unyielding.

Fanny and Hayley exchanged a look, the mood growing heavy between them.

“Ruby, we know what you’ve been through, and honestly, we’re relieved you managed to escape all that,” Fanny began, biting her lip as if she might stop, but pressing on anyway. “But we don’t want to see you live your whole life focused on revenge. You have Mira now—she’s wonderful, and your life is so much more than all that pain. We’ll stand by you if you want the Grayson family and Violet to face the consequences, but don’t let yourself drown in bitterness.”

She got most of it out in one breath, never once blinking.

Hayley scratched at her head, her expression torn. She couldn’t help sneaking a glance at Ruby, then exchanged another silent look with Fanny.

Hayley always liked to think of herself as easygoing, but years in the arts had given her a sensitivity others sometimes missed. Lately, Ruby had felt less like a friend and more like a strategist on a battlefield, orchestrating an elaborate campaign—every move aimed at bringing down the Graysons and Violet.

It didn’t seem worth it.

“Fanny’s right. We’re worried about you,” Hayley said softly.

Ruby looked up, meeting their worried gazes.

It struck her, belatedly, just how much darkness she’d been carrying around.

She froze, memories flashing through her mind in a dizzying blur.

The betrayal by Gennifer and Morgan, who’d faked evidence and sent her to prison. Her beloved grandmother dying not long after she was incarcerated, and she never even got to say goodbye. Years spent in the Grayson family’s home, never valued, always despised and ignored.

Ruby bit down on her lower lip, hard enough to feel the sting—a pain that pulled her back to herself.

“Don’t worry. I won’t lose myself in hate,” she managed, forcing a smile for their sake, hoping it would lighten the mood.

But the tension in the office barely shifted.

Fanny sighed inwardly, but since Ruby had said her piece, she let it go.

“So you’re planning to play along with the Graysons for now? Fine. We’ll put the investigation on hold. Why don’t you call it a day and spend some time with Mira?”

Fanny stood to leave, but paused at the door to glance back at Ruby.

Ruby caught her meaning and nodded, smiling.

Hayley, never one for heavy atmospheres, followed Fanny out.

The door had barely closed before there was a knock from outside.

“Come in,” Ruby called, still gathering the files Fanny had just left on her desk.

Sylas stepped inside, looking like he’d come straight from a sprint across town—rumpled and a little breathless.

He immediately noticed the tension in Ruby’s brow.

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