Burn Me Once Burn With Me (Ruby Grayson) novel Chapter 163

A thunderous growl split the silence right beside her ear.

Heavy, measured footsteps echoed closer and closer, each one sending a chill slicing up her spine.

Ruby tensed instinctively, while Sylas, ever unbothered, straightened up with a lazy ease. "Uncle Cassian?"

But Cassian strode right past him, his gaze icy and unyielding, fixed squarely on Ruby.

She pressed her lips together and looked away, the warmth in the room evaporating in an instant. Now, Cassian seemed like the villain, shattering what little peace they had.

His eyes darkened visibly, storm clouds gathering. He stared Sylas down, forcing himself to reign in his temper. "So you remember I'm your uncle?" he said, voice cold and sharp. "Then do you know who she is?"

Each word was a challenge, biting and relentless.

Sylas narrowed his eyes, the air between them thick with tension. Then, with a careless shrug, he broke the silence. "Aren't you two about to get divorced?"

Their marriage was already a sinking ship, so what was so wrong about him checking in on Ruby and her kid? Besides, he trusted Ruby's word implicitly. Even if Cassian was his uncle, if Ruby said her husband had failed her, then it was Cassian who was in the wrong—and Sylas had every right to offer her support.

His thoughts only made him more defiant.

Cassian's brow furrowed, a cold, humorless laugh escaping him. "Who told you we were getting divorced?"

Before anyone could react, he reached out and pulled Ruby into his arms.

She hadn't expected either the words or the movement. Suddenly she was pressed against his chest, too stunned to react.

Sylas's eyes flashed, a rare edge of anger slicing through his usual nonchalance.

Cassian's scent—smoke and something sharp—hit her, dizzying in its intensity.

Blinking hard, Ruby finally snapped back to reality. She immediately shoved at Cassian, scowling. "I said it. The divorce papers will be at your office soon."

At that, Sylas visibly relaxed, though a flicker of hope—however shameful—lit up behind his eyes.

But Cassian's grip only tightened around her slender wrist, his gaze dark and possessive, burning into her. "Absolutely not."

His voice was low, fierce, and Ruby flinched at the force behind it. Before she could protest, his arm banded around her waist, pulling her closer—so close she felt she might disappear into him.

She couldn't move, her cheek pressed against the solid wall of his chest. His heartbeat thundered in her ear.

Is this really Cassian?

The Cassian she remembered was always so cold, always composed—a distant mountain capped with snow, untouched and unapproachable.

All the years she'd been married to him, except for that one night when he'd taken his medicine, he'd never shown her the slightest affection. She'd never seen him lose control, not like this.

He slid his other hand up, locking her in a protective, almost desperate embrace. His eyes stayed on Sylas, wary and unforgiving. "We're not getting divorced. She'll always be your aunt. Don't even think about it."

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