Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 19

Chapter 19 

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Aurelia forced a polite smile. “It’s nothing. The items have been delivered, so I’ll be heading back to the office.” 

She just wanted to grab something to eat and shake off her awful mood. 

Probably too busy trying to please his future mother–in–law, Cassian didn’t bother arguing with her. 

Aurelia found a small restaurant nearby and ordered a quick meal. 

The food helped ease the ache in her stomach a little, and afterward, she got ready to drive back to Honoria Capital. 

But just as she reached the parking lot, her phone rang–it was a call from the hospital. 

After hearing what the person on the other end said, Aurelia’s face went pale. “I’m near the hospital. I’ll be right there.” 

She rushed over, parked in a hurry, and ran toward the entrance. As she reached the door, she accidentally bumped into someone. 

The man she hit was middle–aged, dressed in a crisp suit, his hair neatly combed. 

He looked at her with a cold expression, clearly displeased. 

Flustered, Aurelia quickly apologized. “I’m so sorry,” she said, checking to make sure he was all right before running off again. 

What she didn’t notice was that the man kept staring after her, his expression unreadable. He only snapped out of it when a familiar voice called out. 

“Dad, what are you looking at? I’ve called you a few times, and you didn’t even respond.” Tessa came up to him, clinging playfully to his arm. 

Daniel’s stern face softened instantly. “Nothing. Why did you come down alone?” 

“Mom asked me to. She must really miss you,” Tessa said, smiling sweetly. 

“I’ve been away on business this whole time. I’m sorry she had to handle everything on her own,” Daniel said, his tone heavy with guilt. 

Tessa squeezed his arm. “Mom understands. She’s not upset with you. Come on, let’s go–she’s dying to see you.” 

Just then, a secretary walked in holding a bouquet of flowers. 

Tessa’s eyes lit up. “Mom’s going to love those. You’re so thoughtful, Dad.” 

***** 

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Chapter 19 

When Aurelia arrived at the oncology department, her mother, Ella, had already finished a round of tests. The results weren’t out yet. 

Seeing her rush in, out of breath, Ella gave her a gentle smile. “Aurelia, you’re here. I told Dr. Walsh not to call you–it’s just a small check–up. He wouldn’t listen. Did I interrupt your work?” 

Aurelia’s nose stung. Even now, Ella was still worried about bothering her. 

“You didn’t interrupt anything, Mom. Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t feeling well?” Aurelia said. 

“It’s just my old problem acting up again. Nothing serious. I know my own body.” Ella reached up and touched Aurelia’s face, noticing how thin she’d become. 

Concern filled her eyes. “Why are you losing weight again? Is work too stressful?” 

“No. I’m on a diet,” Aurelia said, forcing a shaky laugh to hold back her tears. 

Ella frowned but couldn’t bring herself to scold Aurelia. “You’re not even fat. What are you dieting for?” 

“To fit into pretty dresses, of course,” Aurelia said quickly, trying to sound lighthearted. 

Ella paused, then asked with a hopeful smile, “Did Mr. Locke propose to you?” 

At that moment, Aurelia’s chest tightened so hard she could barely breathe. Her carefully maintained composure started to crack. 

But Ella’s tone was still filled with happiness. “I’ve been waiting for this day. You have no idea how long I’ve dreamed of it. Sometimes I worried I wouldn’t live to see it—but I did. I don’t have to worry about you being alone anymore.” 

Aurelia couldn’t take it. To stop Ella from noticing the tears welling up, she turned her head and asked the nurse, “Is Dr. Walsh in his office right now?” 

The nurse nodded. 

Aurelia muttered a quick “thank you” and hurried out of the room. She said she’d go talk to Connor about the results. 

As soon as the door closed behind her, the tears she’d been holding back finally broke free. 

She kept walking, afraid her mother might hear her crying, until she found a quiet corner where she could let it out. 

She tried not to make a sound. In the world of adults, breakdowns were always silent. 

Not far away, two familiar voices drifted down the hall. 

“Cassian, thank you for coming to see my mom today. She’s in a better mood now. The doctor said staying positive helps with her recovery,” Tessa said softly, her tone full of affection. 

Cassian replied, “Don’t be so formal. I spoke with Mr. Fuller. He said a team of specialists from overseas will 

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be visiting soon. I’ll ask him to arrange a consultation for your mom.” 

Tessa sounded touched. “You’re so good to me, Cassian. I don’t even know how to repay you.” 

Cassian laughed. “Silly girl, who said you needed to repay me?” 

It was strange–Aurelia, who had been crying moments ago, suddenly felt calm. No, not calm–it was numb. 

Her heart had gone cold. 

Cassian Locke, a businessman through and through, said he didn’t expect anything in return. It was almost laughable. 

But Aurelia knew why. It was because the person was Tessa–the woman he had loved for years but could never have. For her, he was willing to give everything without expecting anything back. 

He protected her at work, took care of her in life, and made sure every little detail around her was perfect. He gave her everything he could. 

********** 

“Mr. Locke, thank you so much for donating bone marrow for my mom.” Eighteen–year–old Aurelia had once said those same words with all her heart. 

Back then, Cassian was twenty–one–just as cold and distant as he was now. When he looked at her, there wasn’t a trace of emotion in his eyes. 

“Don’t thank me, Aurelia,” he’d said flatly. “I don’t do things without expecting something in return. And I don’t see any sincerity from you.” 

Naive and inexperienced, Aurelia hadn’t understood what he meant. Her face flushed red as she slowly began to unbutton her shirt, one button at a time. 

She had nothing–no money, no leverage. The only thing she could offer him was her body, and at the time, she thought that might be enough. 

But just as she was about to undo the last button, Cassian stopped her. 

He turned away politely, his voice a little unsteady. “That’s not what I meant.” 

Mortified, Aurelia turned her back to him, fumbling to button her shirt again. Her face burned hot. 

In the end, Cassian gave his own condition for repayment–she had to come work for him at Honoria Capital. 

At the time, Honoria Capital was struggling to survive. Including Cassian, there were only four people in the 

company. 

When Aurelia joined as an intern, they became five. Their office was a cramped warehouse on the top floor of an old apartment building–boiling in the summer, freezing in the winter. 

That year, Ashmont had a record–breaking heatwave that lasted more than forty days. The warehouse felt like 

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Chapter 19 

an oven. Aurelia suffered heatstroke three times and nearly collapsed. 

Technically, she had endured all the hard times with him. 

(3) 

And now that Honoria Capital had finally taken off when it was time to enjoy the rewards–Cassian cast her aside without hesitation. 

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