Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 76

Standing at the reception desk, Ruby's pallor startled the nurse behind the counter. "Miss, are you alright?" the nurse asked, concern etched across her face.

Ruby pressed her cracked lips together and managed a stiff nod. "This is the hospital admission form. Which room is Cameron Lockridge in?"

The nurse accepted the paperwork and quickly pointed her in the right direction.

Ruby murmured her thanks and walked away, leaving the nurse clutching her chest as her nerves settled.

Good heavens, the nurse thought. With a face that pale, she looked like something straight out of a horror movie.

Just as the nurse finally exhaled and settled back in her chair, her desk was rapped by someone's knuckles.

"Excuse me… Bennett?"

Bennett handed her a small note. "Please give this to the woman who just left."

The nurse blinked in confusion, but nodded and took the slip of paper with both hands.

Meanwhile, Ruby had already found Cameron Lockridge's hospital room.

It was a double occupancy room, but for now, Cameron was the only patient inside.

He lay there, still weak, with an oxygen tube secured beneath his nose.

The only sound in the room came from the soft hiss of the respirator.

Moving quietly, Ruby sat down on the empty bed next to his. From a few feet away, she watched Cameron's unconscious form, her heart awash with guilt.

If he hadn't tried to help her, he never would have been dragged into this mess.

Ruby lowered her head, a sharp ache twisting inside her chest.

"Miss Grayson? Miss Grayson?"

A soft voice called from the doorway.

Ruby wiped her face and looked up. The young nurse from before was peeking through the door, which she'd pushed open just a crack.

Glancing at Cameron's motionless figure, Ruby slipped out of the room.

"What is it?" she whispered.

"Bennett asked me to give you this."

At the mention of that name, Ruby's hand trembled so violently the nurse blinked in surprise.

"What is it?" Ruby's voice came out low and shaking.

The nurse shook her head. "I didn't look. I have no idea."

Ruby quickly returned to the room, clutching the note tightly in her fist. Under the dim lamp above Cameron's bed, she forced herself to smooth out the crumpled paper.

Bad news, one after another, filling up Cameron's inbox and voicemail. Every message made one thing painfully clear: bankruptcy was inevitable.

The last message flashed onto the screen, catching Ruby's eye:

"Mr. Lockridge, if Miss Grayson is willing to ask Mr. Veyne for help, maybe the firm could still be saved…"

"After all, it's Miss Grayson who got you into this mess."

"You've done more than enough to repay your mentor's kindness, haven't you?"

Ruby shut her eyes, drained of all color.

She unfolded the note again, staring at the ultimatum.

10 a.m. Veyne & Co. headquarters.

With a trembling hand, Ruby crumpled the paper and tossed it into the trash. After a night of restless worry, the once smooth page was now yellowed and creased.

After a long moment, she asked the nurse to keep an eye on Cameron, then left the hospital and flagged down a cab.

"Veyne Global Headquarters, please," she said, her lips pressed tightly together, her whole body unsteady as she stood by the door.

Then, gathering the last of her resolve, she climbed into the car.

"Let's go," she told the driver.