Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 550

The doctor’s eyes widened slightly as he looked her up and down, but his reaction was hidden by his surgical cap. He shot a hesitant glance at Bennett, who was standing by the door.

Isn’t that the Madam?

Bennett gave him a subtle nod.

The doctor cleared his throat and addressed Ruby. “The nurse will take you to his room. For the next few weeks, you must follow the prescribed diet strictly. Absolutely no spicy or irritating foods.”

Ruby nodded repeatedly, agreeing to everything, and followed the nurse toward the recovery room.

The doctor didn’t leave right away. He walked over to Bennett.

Before he could speak, Bennett held up a hand to stop him.

“The Madam and Mr. Veyne are divorced. Her personal life is her own business.”

The doctor, seeing Bennett’s stern expression, didn’t press the issue. He simply added, “Mr. Veyne didn’t look well when he arrived. You should make sure he gets some rest.”

Bennett paused but didn’t reply, instead suggesting the doctor go get some rest himself.

The doctor was right. Mr. Veyne had barely slept recently. Bennett had even seen the lights on in the CEO’s office late at night when he’d gone back to the company to retrieve a file. He had been by Mr. Veyne’s side for years, and even during the major crisis Veyne & Co. had faced a year ago, he had never seen him work himself this hard.

Bennett sighed. The amount of coffee delivered to the CEO’s office lately was more than in the past several years combined. He looked down the long, empty hallway, the image of Cassian’s desolate figure burned into his mind.

The Madam would likely never forgive Mr. Veyne. Was all this effort worth it?

His mind heavy with thoughts, Bennett returned to the company. As he stepped onto the top floor, he saw that the doors to the CEO’s office were wide open, light spilling out into the hallway.

Cassian was hunched over his desk, his eyes fixed on his computer screen, fingers occasionally tapping the keyboard. After a few moments, he frowned and took a sip of his coffee.

“Mr. Veyne,” Bennett announced his presence.

Cassian looked up, rubbing his temples. “How is he?”

“Mr. Cunningham is out of surgery. The doctor said as long as he avoids spicy food, he’ll be fine.”

“Good,” Cassian nodded.

Bennett couldn’t help but urge, “Mr. Veyne, it’s very late. You should go home and rest.”

Cassian shot him a look. “Did someone say something to you?”

Bennett detected a flicker of hope in his dark eyes.

Cassian found himself moving toward her, drawn by an invisible force.

“I won’t come again next time,” Ruby suddenly said, her head bowed. She quickly packed up the sushi, her fingers twisting nervously. “I’m sorry.”

Cassian swayed, a man’s voice—his own—echoing in his memory: *Didn’t I tell you not to come?*

Ruby’s face fell, and she left, looking deeply hurt.

Cassian reached out to stop her, but his hand met the cold glass of the window.

He snapped back to reality, realizing it was a memory from a year ago, when he and Ruby were still married.

The memories came flooding back like a relentless tide, bringing with them a wave of unbearable regret. He clutched his chest, a searing pain tearing through him. The frantic worry she had shown for Sylas tonight—she had once looked at him that way, too.

Cassian looked up, feeling a rare sense of helplessness. The sky was a vast, starless black. There was no moon.

…

In the hospital room.

Sylas slowly opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Ruby, standing over him with a cold, unamused expression on her face.