Burn Me Once Burn With Me (Ruby Grayson) novel Chapter 404

A vague sense of unease rippled through Ruby’s heart, growing stronger with every passing moment.

She tapped her finger against her phone screen and opened the notification.

Cassian’s statement was right there:

“The news of my divorce from Miss Ruby is true. But let me be clear: the fault is mine, not hers. I want to put to rest every rumor about me and Miss Gennifer that’s been spreading online. Miss Gennifer and I are simply colleagues—nothing more. There’s never been anything inappropriate between us.”

Ruby’s expression remained calm, unreadable. Cassian’s words didn’t stir even the faintest reaction in her.

Whether or not Cassian was telling the truth no longer mattered. That chapter of her life was closed.

Still, she hadn’t expected Cassian to publicly admit he’d initiated the divorce.

Her gaze drifted lower. When she came to the next paragraph, her eyes paused, lingering on the words.

“Since the divorce, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on our brief years as husband and wife. All I feel now is regret. I respected Miss Ruby’s decision to leave, though I can’t deny my own unwillingness to let go. If you ever see us together again, it will only be because I’m the one who can’t stay away.”

That was how Cassian ended his statement. Below it, the comment section was a tidal wave.

Reporters and ordinary readers alike were floored. The rumors about Ruby and Mr. Veyne’s divorce, which had been the talk of the town for weeks, were now officially confirmed—and by none other than Mr. Veyne himself. He’d even stepped forward to clarify the truth and try to steer the narrative.

For any celebrity, this kind of public confession would have been career suicide. But this was Cassian, the wealthiest man in Quinborough. The comments were filled with shock and, for many, envy—envy of Ruby, who had left such a man behind.

Ruby’s fingers stilled. Her eyes flickered, unsettled by emotions she couldn’t even begin to name.

What was Cassian playing at?

And what did he mean, exactly, by saying the only reason they’d ever be seen together again would be because he was “bothering” her?

She stared at Cassian’s name, bold and prominent on the screen, her brows knitting in confusion. He was a mystery to her now.

With an impatient sigh, Ruby swiped the news away.

Enough.

She forced down her irritation and focused on the laptop in front of her.

The enormous monitor glowed with her email inbox. At the center of the screen was a draft—already written, ready to send.

She narrowed her eyes, the blue in them deep as the sea—appearing tranquil, but concealing unfathomable depths.

Once the confirmation showed her message had been sent, she meticulously erased every trace of it.

“The Graysons seem to have given up on Gennifer.”

Propping his arm on the desk, he cocked his head, studying her. “You underestimate how stubborn I am about the people I love, Rue. I’d never give up on her for the sake of business—and I’d never let her get hurt.”

He looked directly into her eyes, each word a promise.

For a moment, Ruby’s heart stopped, as if someone had pressed ‘pause’ on the world and turned down the volume. Everything around her faded away—except for the loud, erratic beating in her chest.

What is he doing?

That was the only thought her dazed mind could muster.

“Let’s stay on topic for once,” she said, suddenly remembering herself. With a quick cough, she interrupted Sylas and averted her gaze, her pale pink fingertips tapping on a file. “Hanley currently holds fifty-three percent of the Grayson Group’s shares. I have only forty percent.”

The abrupt change in subject was obvious—and Sylas visibly lost interest.

His shoulders slumped, but since this was Ruby’s business, he forced himself to pay attention, leaning in to study the papers she indicated.

“Then we’ll have to approach this from another angle. Quinborough law says anyone guilty of a crime can’t serve as CEO or board chair of a public company.”

Sylas stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Marital infidelity—especially during the marriage—is a major offense.”

Ruby’s lips curled into a cool smile. “That’s what I was thinking. Hanley’s about to get every bit of what’s coming to him.”