Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 352

Chapter 352 

vouchers 

Darren said, “If you help me win custody of Joey, I’ll let you tap into all my connections to use whatever you need to get ahead. 

“After that, it’s your call whether you stay or go.” 

As Darren spoke, Aurelia could only think about Joey. 

If a sham marriage could give Joey a better future, she was ready to go through with it. 

She was willing. 

Since it was a fake marriage, there had to be some strict secrecy rules. 

Darren’s lawyer told Aurelia that until Joey’s custody was settled, she couldn’t breathe a word to anyone about their marriage being fake. 

Even her closest friends and family were off–limits. 

‘I get it. The bigger picture comes first,‘ Aurelia thought. 

So she didn’t hesitate. She signed the confidentiality agreement right then and there. 

Darren didn’t mess around. He got the engagement party scheduled for just a month away. 

Aurelia had no clue how she was even going to tell Ella and Mia about it. 

Mia had been crashing at her place for a week now, and she hadn’t said a word about heading back to set. 

That was seriously out of character for her. 

When Aurelia asked, Mia just said she’d been working herself to the bone for years and wanted to take a long break. 

That just made Aurelia even more suspicious. 

So, behind Mia’s back, Aurelia called her agent to get the real story. 

Maurene Kline, Mia’s agent, said, “You seriously didn’t know? Mia’s been bullied on set. I thought she’d come to you to talk 

about it.” 

Aurelia’s heart sank. She immediately asked, “Bullied? What happened?” 

Maurene told Aurelia everything that had happened to Mia. 

Not long ago, Mia had fought tooth and nail to land the female lead in a major director’s film. She’d signed on and started shooting, but midway through filming, she was replaced. 

Word is, the investors shoved a rookie actress into the cast and straight–up stole the role Mia had busted her ass to get. 

Mia had joined the crew three months early for intense training, including stamina, wire stunts, and combat choreography, the whole package. 

She was battered all over during that time. 

Maurene had to have a massage therapist waiting at the hotel every night to help Mia recover after the shooting. 

But just like that, the producers swapped her out without a second thought. 

15:46 Sat, Jan 31 

Chapter 352 

5 vouchers 

But what really stung was that the newbie had zero experience with action scenes, yet the producers handed over all the fight sequences Mia had risked her life to film, giving them straight to the new girl. 

Mia was furious. She stormed off to confront the producers that very night. 

But by the time Maurene got there, all she saw was Mia walking back to the hotel alone, soaked to the bone in the rain. 

After that, Mia got seriously ill. 

Once she recovered, she decided to take a long break and flew overseas to stay with Aurelia. 

As for what went down that night, Maurene still doesn’t know a thing. 

Mia refused to say a word about it. 

“What’s the name of the actress who stole her role?” Aurelia asked, her voice cold as ice. 

“Leonie Avalos. She’s got zero acting experience,” Maurene replied, clearly having done her homework. “But her backer is a real heavyweight. It’s Herbert Norman from the Norman family in Northvale.” 

The Norman family in Northvale had some serious clout. 

But Aurelia was no pushover. 

Aurelia told Maurene to send over all the crew’s details to her email. She’d get her people on it later. 

‘So Leonie Avalos likes to play the connections game, huh? Like she’s the only one with contacts?‘ Aurelia mused. 

Aurelia kept all her behind–the–scenes moves to herself. She didn’t tell Mia a thing. 

‘If Mia wants a peaceful vacation, that’s what she’ll get,‘ Aurelia thought. ‘No way I’m letting any of this mess ruin her time off.’ 

But there was one more thing Aurelia had to say, even if she had to bite the bullet. 

Mia was stretched out in the sun, snacking on fruit. 

Aurelia walked over, took the fruit plate from her, and said, “Quick, finish what’s in your mouth.” 

Mia looked baffled, but she did as Aurelia said. 

Once Aurelia was sure Mia had nothing left in her mouth and was settled comfortably in her lounge chair, she finally said it, matter–of–factly. 

“I’m getting engaged,” Aurelia announced. 

“What? Cough, cough…” Mia nearly choked. 

Of all the reactions Aurelia had imagined, Mia actually choking on her own spit was definitely not one of them. 

Aurelia had to pat Mia on the back for a while before she finally stopped coughing and caught her breath. 

“Who are you getting engaged to?” Mia asked urgently, her voice full of concern. 

“Darren Keith. The one who came looking for me last time,” Aurelia replied. 

Mia tilted her head, saying. “He looks pretty good, super gentlemanly, and has that classic rich guy aura. 

“He’s a bit older, but older guys know how to treat a girl right.” 

BAT 

31 

O 

G 

17 

W 

||| 

O 

Г 

15:46 Sat, Jan 31 

Chapter 352 

Mia was giving Aurelia the full rundown like a worried mom. 

61 

5 vouchers 

After rattling off all the pros and cons, Mia finally asked Aurelia, “So, are you getting engaged to him because you have feelings for him?” 

“Does that even matter?” Aurelia shot back, looking at her like she’d asked something totally out of left field. 

Mia shrugged and said, “Not really. Chasing true love is a losing game. You should go for the perks and the paychecks.” 

This time, Aurelia gave Mia a look, her head tilted in curiosity. 

After a pause, she asked, “Sweetheart, have you ever been hurt by a guy?” 

Mia’s eyes flickered, dodging Aurelia’s gaze. She teased with a laugh, “Please! My heart’s solid rock. No man can break it. If anything, I’m the one breaking hearts.” 

“Yeah, right,” Aurelia teased, giving her a playful look. 

Aurelia reached out and gently patted Mia’s head. “I’ve been so busy these past few years, I haven’t looked out for you. Sorry about that.” 

“I’m eating well, drinking well. You’re worrying about nothing,” Mia shot back, unfazed. 

She was still as carefree as ever. 

Honestly, being carefree isn’t so bad. 

***** 

The temperature swings in Northvale in September cut like a blade. Day and night felt worlds apart. 

Down the endless corridor, the iron gates after iron gates were unlocked. 

When the final gate opened, he finally breathed in the long–lost scent of the wind. 

The old man behind him paused, standing still as he watched the man ahead tilt his head up, soaking in the sunlight. 

After a moment, he said, “Cassian, you’re free.” 

Cassian knew exactly how long he’d been grinding for this moment. 

“Thank you for everything you’ve done,” Cassian said. 

The old man smiled. “Sure. I couldn’t let you sacrifice yourself, could I?” 

Still, when Cassian first put himself on the line, the old man had been sweating bullets for him. 

One wrong move, and Cassian could’ve been exposed, or worse, spooked the people lurking in the shadows. Either way, it would’ve been the end of the road for Cassian. 

But luckily, they actually made it through. 

Luckily, he managed to save Cassian. 

“Go on, get back to your life. Be yourself again,” the old man said, giving Cassian a pat on the shoulder. 

It felt like advice. 

But it also felt like a goodbye. 

15:46 Sat, Jan 31 

Chapter 352 

Cassian stepped through the final iron gate and let the sunlight wash over him. 

For the first time in ages, he could truly taste what freedom felt like. 

63 

vouchers 

He stood there for a long while, letting it all sink in, before finally grabbing his flimsy bag and making his way out, step by 

step. 

He never looked back. 

Outside, Jasper had been waiting for quite a while. 

The moment he saw Cassian, he ran straight over. 

“Cassian!” Jasper called out, his voice overflowing with excitement. 

He hugged Cassian tightly, unable to contain his joy. He blurted out, “Cassian, you’re finally free! 

“Let’s head straight back to Ashmont. The private jet’s already waiting at the airport. 

“Abigail’s got a whole table full of your favorite dishes ready for you! 

“Oh, and Mr. Locke’s waiting for you, too. Everyone’s been looking forward to this day.” 

Jasper just kept rambling on and on. 

Cassian’s expression barely changed. 

It wasn’t until Jasper finally ran out of things to say that Cassian spoke up. “What about her? Is she okay?” 

Jasper was stumped for a second, his mind blank as he tried to figure out who Cassian meant. 

After a moment of silence, he finally answered. 

“She’s getting engaged today.” 

AD 

Comment