Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 17

Chapter 17 

Aurelia knocked on Cassian’s office door. When he told her to come in, the pushed it open and walked inside 

“Mr. Locke,‘ she said, her voice businesslike and composed 

“I’m going to the hospital to visit a patient in a little while, Cassian said. “Go to the Locke family eat and yo me that jar of rare golden honey a client gave me, along with some other health supplements. I already spoke to Abigail–you can just pick them up from her 

“Okay, Aurelia replied calmly. It was part of her job, after all. 

That jar of rare golden honey was worth a small fortune, and if Cassian was willing to give it away, then the person receiving it had to be someone very special. 

Aurelia didn’t ask who it was for. Her mind was elsewhere–on her resignation letter. 

It had been a week since she submitted it, yet Cassian hadn’t mentioned a thing 

She wasn’t sure if he hadn’t seen it or if he was ignoring it on purpose, 

Either way, she wanted an answer. She wanted to see how he would react so she could make her next move 

But just as she was about to speak, Cassian’s personal phone rang 

It was sitting on his desk, and when the screen lit up, the name “Tena” appeared. 

Aurelia’s brows drew together. Cassian answered right away and even put it on speaker, not bothering to hide 

it 

Aurelia let out a quiet, bitter laugh. Tessa was the woman Cassian had loved in secret for years. Now that they were finally together, of course, he wanted to show her off. 

Aurelia, on the other hand, had been his hidden secret for seven years. 

“Cassian, I just woke up and saw your text. Tessa’s voice came through, husky and slow, dripping with that lazy morning sweetness that could make any man lose his mind. 

Aurelia knew exactly what Tessa was doing. 

Whether Cassian realized it or not, he clearly enjoyed it. 

“I figured,” he said, his tone soft. “That’s why I didn’t want to bother you.” 

“You can always call me if you need something.” Tessa replied, her voice so syrupy it made Aurelia’s skin 

crawl. 

“It’s nothing serious. I just wanted to let you know I’m stopping by to visit your mother later, Cassian said 

Aurelia’s heart sank. So that was who he was being so generous for–Tessa’s mother. He was trying to impress 

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Chapter 17 

his future mother-in–law. 

Tessa’s voice instantly brightened. “Really? When will you be here?” 

“Around twelve,” Cassian said, checking his watch. 

57 

“Perfect! We can have lunch together–consider it my way of thanking you. My mom keeps telling me I should thank you properly,” Tessa said cheerfully. 

“Okay,” Cassian replied, setting down his pen and giving her his full attention. 

43 

Aurelia knew when she was no longer needed. She quietly backed out of the office, careful not to disturb their conversation. 

But even after the door closed behind her, she could still feel the sickly sweetness of their voices clinging to 

her. 

She decided to leave Honoria Capital early and head to the Locke family estate to pick up the rare golden honey. 

Cassian didn’t live there anymore. He only went back there during holidays to have dinner with his father, Benjamin. 

Most of the time, only Benjamin and his caretaker, Abigail, stayed there. The rest of the staff came during the day and left by evening, so the place was always quiet. 

Aurelia realized it had been over two weeks since her last visit. 

On her way, she made a small detour to buy Benjamin’s favorite butter cookies. 

When she arrived, Benjamin was in the yard feeding fish by the pond. 

The gate was half–open, as always, so she pushed it open and stepped inside. 

Abigail had once told Aurelia that whenever Benjamin knew Aurelia was coming, he would tell her to leave the gate open. 

Despite his stern, unsmiling nature, it was his quiet way of showing affection. 

Cassian and Benjamin had never gotten along. When Aurelia first met Cassian, their relationship was at its 

worst. 

Benjamin had wanted Cassian to take over the family business, but Cassian had insisted on building his own. 

According to Abigail, the night they fought, the study was a disaster–furniture overturned and antiques shattered. 

Cassian stormed out, and Benjamin announced that no one was allowed to help Honoria Capital out of respect for the Locke family or for him. 

Because of that, Honoria Capital struggled for the first two years. 

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Chapter 17 

Even though Cassian was the only heir to his family fortune, he didn’t take advantage of it 

CATH 

It wasn’t until the past few years, with Aurelia’s help, that things had finally improved–both the business and their father–son relationship. 

Benjamin hadn’t liked Aurelia at first. He had been cold and harsh, rarely speaking to her except to criticize 

That was when Aurelia realized Cassian had inherited his father’s temperament. 

Still, she hadn’t backed down. No matter how distant Benjamin was, she stayed patient and polite, refusing to give up. 

Over time, she managed to win him over. His attitude slowly softened, 

Abigail often said Aurelia was the hero who brought Benjamin and Cassian back together. Without her, the two might have stayed estranged forever. 

“Mr. Locke, feeding the fish again?” Aurelia called out with a bright smile as she walked into the yard. 

Benjamin didn’t look up. He just grunted in acknowledgment. 

Aurelia placed the box of butter cookies on the table in front of him. “These just came out of the oven. You should eat them while they’re warm–they won’t stay crisp for long.” 

Benjamin set down the bowl of fish food, brushed off his hands, and ate two butter cookies. 

When he reached for a third, Aurelia quickly took the box away. 

He glared at her, and she smiled apologetically. “Watch your blood sugar. You can have the rest tomorrow–I’ll ask Abigail to keep them for you.” 

Benjamin snorted but didn’t argue. Then he asked, “How is he?” 

Aurelia knew he was asking about Cassian. She smiled faintly. “He’s doing well.” 

He was thriving–successful in his career and in love. 

“And you?” Benjamin asked. 

Aurelia froze for a second. His sudden concern caught her off guard, but she still answered politely, “I’m also doing well.” 

“You’re twenty–eight this year, right?” Benjamin asked, tossing another handful of feed into the pond. Even the fish here looked rich and content–fat, round, and well–fed. 

Aurelia tried to figure out where this was going. 

Before she could reply, Benjamin continued, “You’re not getting any younger. It’s time to start thinking about the next step in your life.” 

The words hit her hard, slicing through the calm she’d tried to maintain. 

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Chapter 17 

The sad truth was that she had been ready to take that next step with Cassian. 

She had even bought the rings. 

Just one more step, and everything would have fallen into place. 

But that “one step” had shattered everything instead. 

It seemed she was always just a bit short of luck in love. 

Aurelia didn’t know how to respond. After all, she had already made up her mind to leave. 

Three hearts in one love was too complicated. It was time for her to start a new life on her own. 

But Benjamin mistook her silence for shyness. He gave a small nod and said, “Let’s arrange to meet soon. Cassian and I will invite you and your mother to dinner. We can talk about you two getting married.” 

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