Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 77

Veyne Global Headquarters.

The gleaming skyscraper sliced into the clouds, making everyone on the street below seem no bigger than ants.

Ruby paused at the entrance—once so familiar, now almost alien. The sun beat down mercilessly on her face, and for a moment, it felt as if she'd stepped into another lifetime.

Now she was just another stranger, one of the countless faces that drifted through the doors of Veyne & Co.

Lowering her eyes, Ruby let her hair shield her from the harsh sunlight as she strode quickly toward reception.

This time, the receptionist didn't bother with the usual questions. Instead, she handed Ruby an elevator card with a look that was both respectful and conflicted. "Miss Grayson, please use the staff elevator. Mr. Veyne is waiting for you on the top floor."

Ruby nodded quietly and stepped into the elevator she'd once known so well.

As the doors slid shut, the receptionist let out a soft gasp, quickly averting her gaze after a moment of surprise.

So that woman... she was Mr. Veyne's wife? The famous attorney, Ruby Grayson?

Ding—

The elevator chimed and glided to a halt.

Guided by muscle memory, Ruby walked straight to Cassian's office.

The chair behind the desk was empty. Bennett was tidying up some paperwork, but when he noticed her, he set the files aside.

"Ma'am," he greeted her with a polite nod.

Ruby's expression stayed cold. "Where's Cassian?"

"Mr. Veyne will be here shortly. Please wait a moment, Miss Grayson," Bennett replied before signaling for someone to bring her a glass of water.

A few minutes later, an assistant came in to fetch Bennett, leaving Ruby alone in the enormous office.

She stood still, her gaze landing on the imposing leather chair at the head of the room.

No one sat there now.

In her memory, Cassian had always been there—immaculate in a tailored suit, every button fastened to the collar, dealing with the company's endless affairs.

She had once sat across from him as his lead counsel, discussing contracts and strategy.

But never before had she stood here as his wife.

"We meet again, sister," Gennifer said, flashing a dazzling smile. But Ruby caught the glint of mockery beneath it.

The word "sister," dripping with false affection, made Ruby's skin crawl.

Ruby met Gennifer's gaze, cool and unblinking. For a split second, their eyes locked in the air—tension crackling between them. Ruby's face tightened; she felt her blood run cold as she lowered her head.

"I'm sorry."

If that was all it took for Cameron Lockridge to escape Cassian's wrath...

"What was that?" Gennifer cupped her ear, feigning confusion.

Ruby looked up and saw the triumph in Gennifer's eyes.

"I said I'm sorry."

Resentment and numbness churned in Ruby's chest.

Her calm, decisive surrender caught Gennifer off guard, if only for a moment.