Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 37

Aurelia hadn’t known Gideon would be there; he hadn’t mentioned it. 

But then she realized it was only natural. 

Ashmont’s business circle was small. Cassian and Gideon had known each other since they were kids, and their families were. close. 

Now that Gideon was back in the country to expand his business, it made sense that they would reconnect. 

Tessa spotted Gideon and immediately smiled. “Gideon, what took you so long? I’ve been waiting for you.” 

“I got stuck in traffic,” Gideon said. 

“That’s the tie I gave you, isn’t it? It looks good on you.” Tessa reached out and straightened his tie, her gesture smooth and practiced–just the right mix of intimacy and propriety. 

At that moment, Aurelia suddenly remembered the gossip she’d overheard outside the private room at the West Legacy Club. 

Cassian had said the craziest thing he’d ever done was become the other man for the woman he loved. That was how Jasper had figured out who Cassian’s secret lover really was–Tessa. 

Jasper had also mentioned that Tessa had followed Gideon abroad when he left. It meant Cassian and Gideon had once been rivals for the same woman. 

While Aurelia was thinking about this tangled mess, Gideon walked up to her. “You don’t look too good. Didn’t get enough rest?” 

His sudden concern caught her off guard. She shook her head, a little embarrassed. “No, it’s not that.” 

“Have you been drinking?” Gideon frowned, catching the faint scent of alcohol on her breath. “You know you’ve got a bad stomach. Why are you drinking?” 

“I had to. I couldn’t say no,” Aurelia said helplessly. 

Before Gideon could reply, another business partner of Honoria Capital approached with a glass of wine for Aurelia. She couldn’t refuse. 

Just as she took the glass, Gideon reached out and took it from her hand. He clinked glasses with the man instead. “I’ll drink for her, if you don’t mind.” 

The man recognized Gideon right away, clearly flattered. “Not at all, Mr. Quinn. I’m Ethan Ward from the Thamere Group. It’s an honor to meet you.” 

In all her seven years in the business world, it was the first time anyone had ever stepped in to block a drink for Aurelia. It left her feeling strangely moved. 

She found herself staring at Gideon before quickly looking away–and accidentally meeting Cassian’s gaze. 

eyes were cold and unreadable, but something about the way he looked at her sent a chill down her spine. 

When she blinked, Cassian had already turned away. This time, his gaze was on Gideon–sharp, dark, and unmistakably jealous. 

Aurelia froze for a second. She’d never seen that emotion on his face before. 

18:13 Fri, Dec 19 M 

Chapter 37 

Cassian was the kind of man who always kept his composure. Even when he was angry, it was hard to tell. 

She thought he must be jealous of Gideon because of Tessa. Love really did make people act irrationally. 

Meanwhile, Tessa, Cassian, and Jasper had all seen Gideon block the drink for Aurelia. 

Tessa’s smile faltered for a moment. She had already been uncomfortable with how much Gideon and Aurelia had been together lately. 

Now, he was openly standing up for her. It made Tessa narrow her eyes. 

Jasper noticed it too and couldn’t help muttering, “Why is Gideon blocking drinks for Aurelia? Are they that close?” 

He was about to ask Cassian, but stopped when someone came over to say hello. 

Seeing Tessa’s gloomy expression, Jasper quickly tried to ease her mind. “Tessa, don’t overthink it. Gideon’s just putting on a show. It’s nothing real.” 

He sneered, “A man knows another man. Even after a breakup, there’s still that possessive streak. He’s just using Aurelia to stir up your jealousy.” 

Then he added, with open disdain, “Oh, come on. Why would he ever go for a woman like that after being with someone like you? Gideon has better taste. You don’t need to bother with people who don’t matter.” 

Tessa’s mood lightened instantly. Still, she glanced at Cassian, trying to gauge his reaction. 

Cassian had seen everything, yet he looked completely calm, chatting with others as if nothing had happened. He didn’t. seem to care about Aurelia at all. 

The last trace of unease in Tessa’s heart faded. She picked up her drink, slipped her arm through Cassian’s, and joined the conversation–no longer sparing Aurelia a glance. 

Halfway through the event, Aurelia hadn’t touched another drop of alcohol. Instead, Gideon kept bringing her food, making sure she ate. 

With something in her stomach, she started feeling better, and her mood lifted a little. 

She was thanking Gideon when Cassian and Tessa walked over. The two had been inseparable all evening. 

Tessa looked genuinely concerned. “Gideon, you’ve had quite a few drinks. Are you okay?” 

“I’m fine,” Gideon said. “It wasn’t that much.” 

Aurelia noticed Cassian holding a glass of wine instead of sparkling water. She was still wondering about it when he lifted his glass toward Gideon. 

“I’ve been running around all night,” Cassian said. “I haven’t had the chance to toast you yet. Gideon, thanks for coming.” 

Gideon looked surprised. “Cassian, I thought you couldn’t drink, right?” 

Tessa tightened her hold on Cassian’s arm, smiling proudly. “This is my first party as investment director of Honoria Capital, 

so I have to network and drink. 

“Cassian took allergy medicine beforehand so he could drink for me. He’s handled all my toasts tonight–I haven’t had a single sip.” 

Her voice was sweet, her smile radiant. It was pure happiness–the kind that came from being openly cherished. 

thlace with despair. 

18:13 Fri, Dec 19 M. 

Chapter 37 

She had known Cassian favored Tessa, but hearing Tessa. 

say 

it 

out loud still tore her apart. 

For him–for Honoria Capital–she had endured endless drinking events, destroyed her health, and even lost a child because of it. And in the end, it had all meant nothing. 

Cassian never saw her sacrifices. He didn’t care about her pain and didn’t care if she lived or died. All he cared about was 

Tessa. 

He was willing to do anything for her–to take allergy medicine just to block drinks, to personally introduce her to powerful people, to make her shine. 

Aurelia felt like thousands of tiny needles were stabbing into her heart. Every past humiliation, every buried wound, came tearing back open, raw and bleeding. 

She was terrified she might lose control. So she made 

an 

excuse and slipped away. 

It was pathetic, and she knew it. But at that moment, running away was the only way she could protect herself. 

Loving Cassian had really cost her everything. 

AD