Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 6

The next morning, as soon as Aurelia arrived at the office, Miranda came rushing over, her voice lowered like she was sharing a state secret. “I found something this morning. Looks like Ms. Rowe spent the night with Mr. 

Locke,” 

She pulled out her phone, glancing around to make sure no one was watching. “They came in the same car, and Ms. Rowe is still wearing yesterday’s clothes.” 

Aurelia looked at the photo on the screen. Cassian was standing by the car, half his face hidden in shadow as he looked down at Tessa, who was just about to get out. 

The strange angle made them look close–intimate, even. 

She stared at it for a few seconds before looking away. Then she tossed all the pills in her hand into her mouth and washed them down with a few gulps of water. 

The liquid burned slightly going down, but she felt nothing at all. 

She spent the whole morning sorting through every project file she was handling. When she was done, she took a few minutes to write her resignation letter. 

In the meantime, Tessa had gone into Cassian’s office four times, staying for more than half an hour each time. 

Cassian must’ve been in a good mood with Tessa because he didn’t even mention the fact that Aurelia had stood him up the night before. 

It was almost noon when Cassian and Tessa finally came out of his office together. 

He didn’t even glance in Aurelia’s direction as he passed her desk. 

Tessa was chatting beside him, asking what he wanted for lunch–it was her treat, to thank him for drinking for her the night before. 

Cassian said there was a place nearby that served great soup, rich and nourishing–perfect for when she wasn’t feeling well. 

Tessa smiled, clearly touched. “Cassian, you’re so thoughtful.” 

Before the elevator doors closed, Aurelia typed her name at the bottom of her resignation letter. 

Just then, Miranda messaged her to ask what she wanted for lunch. 

After a pause, Aurelia replied: [Let’s go to Nourish Kitchen.] 

Miranda agreed right away. 

***** 

18:45 Thu, Dec 18 

Chapter 6 

The restaurant was packed during the lunch hour. 

: 

The moment they walked in, Aurelia spotted Cassian and Tessa sitting together. Their table was right in the center–impossible to miss. 

“What are the odds?” Miranda muttered, worried it might upset Aurelia. 

But Aurelia stayed calm and ignored them. She glanced around and said evenly, “There’s an open table over there.” 

A waitress recognized Aurelia and came over with a friendly smile. “Ms. Corin, here for the sleep–aid soup again?” 

Aurelia smiled politely. “Not today. Just something easy on the stomach.” 

“Is your boss sleeping better now?” the waitress asked casually. 

Before, every time she came to Nourish Kitchen–rain or shine–it was to pick up the same soup that helped with insomnia for Cassian. 

Over time, she’d become a regular, and most of the staff knew her. 

Aurelia nodded lightly. “Yes, he won’t need it anymore.” 

From now on, she would only take care of herself. 

Miranda chimed in, “Do you have any soup that’s good for energy and blood? I’m on my period and feeling a little weak.” 

“Actually, yes!” the waitress said brightly. “We have a limited batch of three iron–rich beef stews today. You’re lucky–there’s just one left. The other two were ordered by that gentleman over there for his girlfriend.” 

She smiled, her voice full of envy. “They’re such a perfect couple–handsome and elegant, and he treats her so well. It’s rare to see a man who was that caring these days.” 

Miranda wanted to slap a hand over the waitress’s mouth. The “perfect couple” she was talking about was Cassian and Tessa. 

Aurelia understood now. Cassian had specifically brought Tessa here for this special soup because she was on her period and needed it. 

When he said yesterday that she wasn’t feeling well and took a drink for her, it had probably been for the 

same reason. 

They had to be very close for him to know something that private. 

In the seven years she’d been with Cassian, it wasn’t that he’d never been caring or thoughtful. 

But even married couples could grow tired of each other after a long time, and she and Cassian were no different. 

18:45 Thu, Dec 18 

… 

Chapter 6 

& 

44 

As Honoria Capital grew larger and larger, Cassian became so busy that he barely had time to breathe, let alone have time for romance. 

Aurelia couldn’t even remember their last private date, much less this kind of careful attention. 

Once the waitress left, Miranda quickly leaned over and asked in a whisper, “Aurelia, are you okay?” 

Aurelia came back to her senses and nodded her head calmly. “I’m fine.” 

The soup at Nourish Kitchen really was as good as everyone said. After two small bowls, her stomach felt warm and comfortable. 

Aurelia thought that people really needed to be good to themselves. Being good to others might not pay off, but being good to oneself always did–and it was the most direct reward. 

********* 

There was an investment committee meeting in the afternoon. 

It was Tessa’s first time attending as the director of Strategic Division Three, and everyone was curious to see what she was capable of. 

Tessa started by introducing herself–she had a Ph.D. in Finance from the Whitvale School of Management in Marvonia. 

The moment she said that, the room was filled with quiet gasps of admiration. 

Tessa was not only beautiful but also highly accomplished. Now, everyone understood why Cassian had personally recruited her from overseas to join Honoria Capital. 

The Whitvale School of Management in Marvonia was one of the top business schools in the world. Someone who could earn a Ph.D. in Finance there was one in a million–especially a woman as stunning as Tessa. 

Some of the people who had previously felt bad for Aurelia began to change their minds. 

People were drawn to power and success, and they were no different. 

After all, Aurelia only had a bachelor’s degree from a local university. She hadn’t even gone to graduate school. Compared to Tessa, she simply couldn’t measure up. 

Aurelia took notes during the meeting, as focused as always. 

But when she typed the words “Whitvale School of Management,” her fingers paused over the keyboard for 

several seconds. 

Once, she had also received an offer from that school. 

But she had given it up–for Cassian. Because of that decision, her college professor still refused to speak to her to this day. 

She never imagined that, years later, she would lose to the very choice she once made. 

18:45 Thu, Dec 18 

Chapter 6 

: 

With a background like Tessa’s, no one was surprised when Cassian announced that Tessa had secured the NexPath Group project. 

It sounded as if she had really been the one to land the deal. The irony of it was almost cruel. 

Miranda was furious and immediately sent Aurelia a private message: [Wait. How did the NexPath Group project become Ms. Rowe’s?] 

(44) 

A few seconds later, another message came. [That was the project you drank until your stomach bled to win. Why does she get it? How can Mr. Locke be so unfair? I really don’t get it. I’m about to explode.] 

Aurelia replied calmly: [Be good. Don’t make a scene. It doesn’t matter anymore.] 

She could let go of Cassian, the man she had loved for seven years. Losing one project was nothing. 

But Miranda wasn’t done. [That’s the project you worked so hard for! Does Mr. Locke even know you lost a baby because of it?] 

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