Burn Me Once Burn With Me (Ruby Grayson) novel Chapter 90

Ruby's fingers trembled, and she jerked her hand away.

Cassian felt the sudden absence of warmth in his palm—a fleeting touch that left behind a hollow ache he couldn't name.

His dark eyes drifted to his hand, suspended awkwardly between them. The lingering coolness and softness from moments ago had vanished without a trace.

He blinked, lashes fluttering to hide the shadow that flickered across his gaze. Still, that brief, long-missed contact had stirred something in his heart that had lain dormant for too long.

His hand dropped to his side, but his fingers curled unconsciously, as if trying to hold on to what was already gone.

The temperature in the hotel room seemed to rise.

All the heat in Ruby's body rushed to her face and neck, leaving her lightheaded and unsteady.

But as her eyes landed on Mira, everything snapped sharply back into focus.

Silence settled between the two adults. The only sounds were the gentle, efficient motions of caring for Mira—wiping her down, changing her diaper—routine acts that somehow brought a strange, uneasy calm to the room.

Gradually, color returned to Mira's cheeks; the worst seemed to have passed.

After changing Mira's diaper one last time, Ruby finally let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding. Her body heavy and drained, she sank onto the carpet with a soft thump.

Cassian pressed his lips into a thin line, glancing over at the mother and daughter.

From his angle, all he could see was Ruby's bowed profile, a stray lock of hair tumbling over her temple. Messy as it was, he could still see the gentle light in her eyes.

A year had passed, and yet the woman before him seemed both familiar and somehow changed.

She had always been gentle—a kind of quiet, obedient gentleness that bordered on bland. But now, her kindness seemed forged from something stronger, like a hand of cool marble—capable of holding firm, yet infinitely tender.

Mira's eyes fluttered open. Though still weak, she managed a feeble but sweet little smile at Ruby.

Seeing her child like this, Ruby shuddered at the memory of the earlier scare. Instinctively, she scooted closer, soothing Mira with soft words.

Her voice was gentle, imbued with a calming magic that could ease anyone's fears.

Cassian felt something shift inside him—his long-frozen heart stirred, his gaze helplessly drawn to Ruby.

They were still, technically, husband and wife. Yet here she was, comforting a child who, by all accounts, had nothing to do with him.

He should have felt indignant, even resentful. But watching the scene unfold, an inexplicable warmth seeped through his veins, filling the spaces where anger should have been.

For a fleeting moment, he wondered if things might not be so bad if they stayed just like this.

The thought caught him off guard.

"Rocking horse…" Mira mumbled, her hands regaining some strength as they reached for the air.

Perhaps curious about the unfamiliar man in the room, her bright, innocent eyes locked onto Cassian.

How clear they were—purer than any gemstone he had ever seen.

He'd admired the world's most flawless obsidian, but none could compare to those eyes.

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