Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 585

Ruby's impassive expression finally cracked. She turned, her cool eyes fixing on Hanley. "Mira is still very young. She doesn't do well with constantly changing environments."

The words Hanley had been about to say died in his throat.

"Let's go. I'll drive you," Sylas cut in, taking Ruby's wrist. But a second later, she gently twisted her arm, freeing herself from his grasp. His hold had been light, merely a guiding touch, so she broke away easily.

Sylas felt his heart skip a beat. Before he could ask what was wrong, Ruby was already walking away, the heels of her shoes clicking against the floor. His face fell, and he hurried to catch up.

Frustrated by the failure of his suggestion and the massive dent in his bank account, Hanley left the furniture store with a long sigh. From inside Sylas's car, Ruby watched him hail a taxi heading in the opposite direction of Grayson Manor. She guessed he was on his way to see Violet.

She narrowed her eyes, her thoughts clear, while beside her, Sylas kept gently tugging at her sleeve. "Rue, why are you ignoring me?" he whispered.

Ruby remained silent until Hanley's taxi was out of sight. Then, she lowered her gaze to meet his—a pair of big, pitiful, watery eyes. Seeing that he finally had her attention, Sylas sat up straighter, though his cheeks were still puffed out. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice barely audible, his eyes searching hers.

Ruby looked away. "If you don't start driving, I'm getting a taxi."

The roar of the sports car's engine immediately filled the air. Sylas's face was crumpled with misery, but a sidelong glance at Ruby's cold profile made him swallow his complaints, like a dejected puppy sulking in a corner. Ruby stared straight ahead, but she allowed her peripheral vision to catch the sight of him pouting as he drove.

"What did you and Gennifer need to discuss in such detail?" she asked casually when they were halfway to their destination.

At the sound of her voice, Sylas nearly slammed on the brakes in excitement. The question that still hung in the air transformed his dejection into pure joy. "Rue, are you jealous?" he asked, a grin spreading across his face. The gloom that had enveloped him vanished, and he seemed to sit taller, his heart pounding with renewed vigor.

Ruby met his sincere, pleading gaze, and a wave of frustration washed over her. A tangle of complex emotions rose in her throat. "Then what were you discussing after I left?" she asked, a flicker of suspicion in her eyes.

She scoffed internally. She couldn't decide if Gennifer was naive or just plain stupid.

As his thoughts drifted, his gaze fell on Ruby. He had grown up in the complex world of the Cunningham family, and though he often appeared carefree, he was incredibly perceptive. Yet, when it came to Ruby's feelings for him, he was completely in the dark.