Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 15

Chapter 15 

Gideon answered casually, “No. She was probably trying to hit on me? 

Tessa let out a small, amused laugh. “Trying to seduce your I’ve seen plenty of women like that? 

Gideon didn’t bother replying. Instead, he looked past her and greeted Cassian, who was standing behind bar “Cassian, long time no see 

Cassian’s tone was cool “Long time no see 

Jasper had heard that Cassian and Tessa had arrived and came out to greet them. Catching that ezen be couldn’t help but tease, “Since when did you two start acting like strangers? Or is this wive happens when 

what 

rivals meet?” 

Tessa chuckled lightly. “Oh, come on. Don’t start? 

Still, her expression gave away a quiet, satisfied pride, 

Cassian and Gideon were the two most outstanding men of their generation–one was her ex, at the other was about to be her current boyfriend, 

The meeting between Aurelia and Sean went smoothly, but since she hadn’t officially ended her contract with Honoria Capital, she didn’t give Sean a definite answer yet, 

Sean personally walked her to the entrance of the West Legacy Club, 

Aurelia told him she’d already called for a car and that he should head back first since he’d had a bit too much to drink. 

While waiting, a familiar license plate caught Aurelia’s eye. It was Cassian’s car. 

She used to drive it often. The little good–luck charm she’d bought for him at a church was still hanging there 

The black Maybach stopped in front of her, smooth as ever. The window rolled down, revealing Cassian’s 

flawless face, 

From a short distance, their eyes met. 

Maybe it was just the lighting, or maybe it was the night, but for a moment, Cassian’s gaze looked unusually soft. 

Aurelia’s heart skipped a beat. 

She remembered all those nights when she’d lost herself in his eyes and his voice murmuring her name against her ear–rough and tender all at once. 

Once upon a time, they’d been just as close. 

18:47 Thu, Dec 18 

Chapter 15 

“Cassian, have you been waiting long?” Tessa’s voice broke through her dare 

Aurelia froze, jolted back to reality. She couldn’t believe she’d actually thought Castian was waiting for her 

Just then, the car she’d called pulled up. She hurried inside, escaping helora espone could see the ink on her 

face. 

On the ride home, she kept the window down, letting the cold night air wing her cheeks. The former re glancing at her through the rearview mirror. 

“I drank too much,” she said, forcing a smile. “Trying to sober up 

But she hadn’t drunk much at all. 

After a moment, the driver said carefully, “You’ll have to pay for the deamp if you throw up in the c 

Aurelia didn’t respond. She pressed a hand to her face. She didn’t want anyone to notice that the we heartbroken. 

Worried that the alcohol might upset her stomach later, the stopped by a burger join text te pomen She ordered a hot cheeseburger and ate slowly before heading home 

But when she opened the door, she froze. Cassian was sitting in her living room 

She stood there, stunned. She’d thought he’d be spending the night with Tesa. Seeing him here in her mail apartment, threw her completely off balance. 

Her eyes flicked to the keypad lock as she sighed silently. She had planned everything so carabily, yen she had forgotten one thing. She never changed the door code. 

Even worse, she had been the one to tell him the password years ago, when she was all eager and ting 

She hadn’t thought he’d remember it. After all, he’d barely ever set foot in her small place 

She told herself maybe it was just because he worked in finance–numbers came easily to him 

Aurelia slipped off her shoes slowly, trying to figure out why he was here. 

It was the first time they’d been alone since she’d found out who he really loved 

A thought crossed Aurelia’s mind–maybe Cassian was here to end things properly. 

They needed closure anyway. Seven years deserved at least a clean ending 

Aurelia moved with deliberate calm, unlike her usual efficient self. 

Strangely, Cassian didn’t rush her. He just watched. The overhead light threw shadows across his face, darkening his eyes, making his expression unreadable. 

“Want some water? Aurelia asked, finally breaking the silence after she finished changing her shapes. She knew whatever was coming couldn’t be avoided. 

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Chapter 15 

“No,” Cassian said, his voice cool. 

Aurelia poured herself a glass of hot water instead. She needed to take her medicine. 

When Cassian noticed, his brow creased. “Is your injury serious?” 

“What?” she asked, confused. 

“Miranda said you got hurt at SkyPulse Company and took sick leave today,” Cassian said. 

She blinked, surprised that he even remembered to ask, even if it was three days late. 

After finishing her drink, she felt noticeably better and finally replied, “It stopped hurting a while ago. I was just taking stomach medicine.” 

Cassian’s expression softened slightly, then tightened again. “Did you see a doctor?” 

“Yes.” Aurelia nodded. 

“What did they say?” Cassian asked. 

“No alcohol, and I need to take care of it,” she said simply. 

Cassian’s frown deepened. Aurelia couldn’t tell if he was worried she wouldn’t be able to drink for him anymore—or if he regretted making her drink for Tessa that night. 

She thought it was probably the former. 

But then, unexpectedly, Cassian said, “You should drink less from now on.” 

For a second, Aurelia thought she’d misheard. 

“I will,” she said quietly. After all, she was planning to quit soon anyway. 

Cassian, who had been sitting the whole time, suddenly stood up and walked toward her. 

Aurelia’s back brushed against the dining table. She didn’t move; she just watched him get closer and closer until he stood right in front of her. 

She didn’t say anything. She just wanted to take a good, long look at him. She might never get the chance again. 

There was no denying Cassian was handsome–the kind of man other women would say was worth sleeping with at least once. 

And she had slept with him for seven years. 

The tightness in her chest that had weighed on her for half a month suddenly eased. Maybe sometimes, all it took was seeing things from a different angle. 

“Let me see,” Cassian said suddenly, snapping her out of her thoughts. 

18:48 Thu, Dec 18 

Chapter 15 

“Huh?” Aurelia blinked, confused. 

She thought he was direct–no hesitation, no buildup. 

“The wound,” Cassian added. 

Realizing what he meant, she looked away awkwardly. “I told you, it doesn’t hurt anymore-” 

Before she could finish, he reached out and lifted her sleeve himself. 

Aurelia had no idea how he even knew where she’d been hurt, but his hand found the exact spot. 

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The cut ran the length of her forearm. It wasn’t as bad now–the body was good at healing–but the scar was still there, pale and long. 

“Will it leave a scar?” Cassian asked quietly. 

“Maybe.” She wasn’t used to seeing this side of him. It almost felt like he cared. 

If this was his version of one last act of tenderness, she thought it was unnecessary. 

She pulled her arm back and asked, her tone distant, “Was there something else you came for?” 

If he wanted an ending, she would give it to him. 

Cassian’s fingers brushed the side of her waist–the exact spot he knew made her flinch. 

Her whole body went tense. A faint tremor ran through her. 

His voice was low and rough by her ear. “Is it over?” 

Seven years, and they had finally come to this moment. 

AD