Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 200

Chapter 200 

Aurelia called Mia to let her know she’d be home late. “If you get hungry, just grab something to eat. Don’t wait for me.” 

Mia asked casually. “Is it overtime or a work dinner?” 

“Neither,” Aurelia replied, sounding exasperated. “I’m going to check on that lovesick guy Cassian.” 

She explained the whole situation to Mia, who couldn’t help but sigh. 

“He’s really stubborn. At a time like this, he still insists on getting engaged to Tessa. Doesn’t he see how badly his companies‘ stocks are tanking? If he had any sense, he’d keep a low profile or at least postpone the engagement.” 

Aurelia just shrugged. “He can’t wait to let the whole world know that he is going to marry the woman he loves, how can he care about this.” 

Because of Tessa, Aurelia finally realized Cassian wasn’t always the icy, rational guy she’d known before. 

When Aurelia showed up at the Locke family’s place, Abigail was busy tidying up the living room, her eyes red and swollen. Clearly, she’d just finished crying. 

Abigail opened her mouth when she saw Aurelia, then thought better of it. 

Aurelia asked, “How’s Mr. Locke?” 

She was only worried about Benjamin. 

As for Cassian, if that lovesick fool wanted to dig his own grave, it was none of her business. 

“He’s locked himself in his room and won’t talk to anyone,” Abigail said, her face full of worry. “Can you go talk to him? Don’t let him get himself worked up.” 

Aurelia frowned as she headed to Benjamin’s room, but when she passed by the study, she saw the place was a total mess. 

Cassian was crouched on the floor, picking up the mess. 

He must’ve heard her footsteps, because he glanced up at her. 

His eyes were icy and distant, not a trace of emotion on his face. 

His eyes flicked to her for barely a split second before dropping back down, ignoring her and continuing to clean up the mess on the floor. 

Aurelia didn’t break stride, heading straight past the study to Benjamin’s bedroom. 

She knocked, calling out softly. 

After a few seconds, Benjamin opened the door. “What are you doing here so late?” 

“Are you okay?” Aurelia asked, giving him a worried once–over. 

Aside from his cold, grim expression, everything else seemed normal. 

“I’m fine,” he replied, his voice hoarse and weary. 

“That’s good,” Aurelia said. 

This was family drama between Benjamin and Cassian, and Aurelia knew better than to get involved. 

Now that she was sure Benjamin was alright, Aurelia decided to head out. 

As she passed by the study again, Cassian was stepping out. 

There was a gash on his hand, blood snaking down the back of it. 

When he saw Aurelia, he paused, stepped back, and gestured for her to go ahead. 

Aurelia watched the blood trail down his hand, dripping onto the floor, her brow instinctively furrowing. “You really ought to win an award for your undying devotion.” 

Cassian met her cold gaze, unfazed by her sarcasm, and spoke slowly, “How’s my 

dad?” 

“Oh, now you care? Where was all that concern earlier?” Aurelia said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. 

Cassian let out a wry chuckle. “If you’re not tearing into me, I guess my dad’s okay.” 

He sidestepped Aurelia and made his way to the living room to get the first aid kit from Abigail and patch himself up. 

Aurelia stared at the blood on the carpet, her thoughts wandering for a moment. 

When she came out, Abigail was fretting over Cassian’s hand, nagging, “How did you manage to cut yourself so deep? What if it won’t stop bleeding? Honestly, you should just go to the hospital.” 

“It’s fine, just slap a bandage on it,” Cassian shrugged, acting like he couldn’t care less. 

Abigail’s eyes went red again. “How can you say that? You really need to see a doctor.” 

She looked up at Aurelia, clearly hoping she’d back her up. 

Aurelia almost said, ‘Don’t bother with him, he brought this on himself,’ but she just couldn’t bring herself to say it. 

She couldn’t bear to turn Abigail down, so she finally nodded. “Alright, I’ll take him to the hospital.” 

Abigail immediately urged Cassian, “Hurry up, go with Aurelia and get that wound taken care of.” 

This time, Cassian didn’t put up a fight and just followed Aurelia out. 

Neither of them said a word the whole way to the hospital. 

Cassian kept his eyes glued to the lucky charm hanging from the rearview mirror. 

After a long pause, he finally spoke up. “Does that thing actually work?” 

“What, you want to get one for Tessa?” Aurelia shot back. 

Cassian just stayed quiet, not saying a word. 

Once they got to the hospital, Aurelia stayed in the car and told Cassian he should call Tessa. 

Tessa was the one who should be here taking care of him, not her. It was not her place. 

She’d already done more than enough just by dropping him off at the hospital. 

Cassian lowered his eyes, his voice quiet and distant. “I don’t want her to worry.” 

That caught Aurelia off guard for a moment. 

It was all too familiar. 

She’d said the same thing herself, once upon a time. 

After she had just come out of emergency, the first thing she did was to tell Mia not to call Cassian. 

She didn’t want him to worry. 

At the time, Mia had called her a warrior fighting for love. 

Today, Aurelia finally handed that title over to Cassian. “Go on, love–struck warrior. Good luck.” 

Cassian stopped in his tracks. “You’re not coming in with me?” 

Aurelia shot him a look that said, ‘don’t overthink it,‘ then drove off. 

Cassian didn’t go into the hospital. Instead, he glanced at his still–bleeding hand and smiled to himself, silent and alone. 

He ended up sitting on the edge of a flower bed, rubbing his brow to fight off the fatigue. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, and took a drag. 

He wasn’t really a smoker. 

But now, with all these emotions bottled up inside, smoking was the only way he could let off steam. 

The smoke drifted from his lips, shrouding his feelings in a haze, impossible for anyone to read. 

“You really just left him there?” Mia blurted out the moment Aurelia walked in. 

Mia couldn’t wait and immediately started grilling her for the whole story. 

Aurelia told her everything, leaving nothing out. 

When Mia heard Aurelia had ditched Cassian at the hospital entrance, she burst out laughing, slapping her thigh. “Girl, you’ve grown! You finally woke up!” 

“This is a moment worth celebrating! Come on, let’s go out for a big meal!” 

Aurelia was happy to go along with Mia’s plan. 

Just as they stepped out the door, Gideon called and invited Aurelia to dinner. 

“I’m with a friend,” Aurelia said. 

“No problem, bring her along,” Gideon replied. 

If Gideon was fine with it, Aurelia was too. 

But Mia was curious. “Who’s that?” 

“He’s my senior, the one I told you about before,” Aurelia replied. 

Mia instantly remembered. “Wait, is he the guy you did that fake couple thing with?” 

“Yep,” Aurelia confirmed. 

“So, is he single now?” Mia pressed, sounding even more interested. 

“I guess so,” Aurelia replied, not entirely sure. 

Before Mia could start getting carried away, Aurelia cut her off. “His ex is Tessa.” 

Mia instantly lost interest and started ranting. “Ugh, why is everyone linked to Tessa? Gross, not getting involved. But his family is rich, right?” 

“He’s the current CEO of Gold Gauntlet,” Aurelia added. 

Mia got even more annoyed. “Seriously, what’s with all these amazing guys falling for Tessa? Their taste sucks!” 

She finished with a laugh. “Honestly, Mr. Lautner’s probably the best option. At least he’s got zero ties to 

Tessa.” 

When they got to the restaurant, they found out Gideon hadn’t come alone either.