Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 231

Chapter 231 

Aurelia froze, stunned by the question that came out of nowhere. 

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Cassian kept hold of her arm, his voice turning cold and authoritative. “That night we first got together, I remember you told me there was someone else you cared about, and told me not to worry about it.” 

He paused, his tone icy. “That was Gideon, right?” 

Aurelia’s face went rigid. 

She was caught off guard. She never thought Cassian would still remember what she’d said that night. 

Their first time together was completely unexpected. 

Back then, Aurelia had tried to thank Cassian in her own way, but he turned her down. 

She’d been so naive, believing Cassian wasn’t like the others. 

He never fell for a pretty face, and he never took advantage when someone was vulnerable. 

That was why she willingly gave up her chance to study abroad, choosing to stay by his side and help him build his business from the ground up. 

During that first year, they fought side by side, facing hardships and celebrating victories together. 

As the days turned into months, Aurelia found herself falling for him. 

But she never let it show, always keeping her feelings to herself and focusing on her work. 

She never once crossed the line. 

She was ready to hide her feelings away for a lifetime, never letting anyone see her true heart. 

Only in the quiet hours of the night, when the world was asleep, would she let herself remember what she felt. 

She’d let the moonlight shine on those feelings, running her fingers over the scars Cassian had left on her heart. 

And before the sun came up, she’d tuck it all away again, safe and secure, locking it up tight. 

But that secret, lonely longing she’d kept hidden was undone by that one unexpected night. 

After its first year, Honoria Capital entered a period of rapid growth, really starting to take off. 

To raise Honoria’s reputation and brand image, Cassian sponsored a group of high–achieving students from low–income families. 

The school hosted an appreciation banquet in honor of the scholarship recipients. 

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Chapter 231 

That day, Aurelia was supposed to go with Cassian to a company dinner. 

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But at the last minute, she got a call from the hospital. There was a problem with her mom’s test results, and she had to go in person. 

Cassian told her to handle things for Ella at the hospital, so he went to the dinner alone. 

But that night, Cassian ran into serious trouble. 

Someone drugged him at the appreciation banquet, trying to frame him for a scandal, making it look like he was using the scholarship program as an excuse to hook up with college girls. 

Honoria was right in the middle of its first big IPO, and everyone had their eyes on Honoria, watching for any sign of trouble. 

With millions of eyes glued to every detail, even the tiniest slip–up could spell disaster. 

If anything went wrong, the whole IPO would go up in smoke. 

Luckily, Aurelia was in charge of the whole scholarship process, and she’d carefully vetted every single student who got picked. 

All those students were grateful to Aurelia, so when things started to look sketchy, they quietly shot her a 

message. 

Aurelia raced over in a panic and managed to drag Cassian out of there before the trap could snap shut. 

That was Aurelia’s first time. 

Cassian, still under the drug’s influence, was harsh and couldn’t hold himself back. 

He was savage and untamed. 

Aurelia trembled, swept up in the overwhelming frenzy. 

She didn’t know how other people acted when they were drugged. 

But that night, Cassian was insatiable, taking and taking without end. 

His kisses were savage and brutal, like a beast finally freed from its cage. 

Aurelia lost count of how many times it happened. 

All she remembered was, just before she lost consciousness, Cassian asked her in a voice so hoarse it sounded. almost animalistic, “Aurelia, do you regret it?” 

Aurelia didn’t have the strength to answer. Her body trembling, she was swallowed by the darkness. 

By the time Aurelia came to, Cassian was already fully dressed, standing at the window with his back to her. 

The room was shrouded in darkness, making his silhouette seem even more aloof and enigmatic. 

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Chapter 231 

When he heard her move, Cassian turned around, his voice still hoarse, but completely detached. “I’ll take responsibility.” 

Her heart gave a jolt. Aurelia knew Cassian was only saying that because he felt obligated. 

That was never her intention. 

She never meant to use what happened last night as leverage, or to ask anything of him. 

Aurelia steadied herself, then told him in the calmest voice she could muster. 

“Last night was just something unexpected. Don’t let it bother you, and you really don’t have to feel responsible,” Aurelia said. 

Cassian was silent for a few seconds. 

Aurelia turned away, trying to act casual as she swept her hair off her shoulder. 

“Besides, I have someone I like,” she said quietly. 

Her voice was soft, but the slight twitch of her lower eyelid betrayed her nerves. 

‘Yeah, that’s right,‘ Aurelia thought to herself. 

She really had said that. 

She’d told that lie just to save face for both of them. 

But she never thought Cassian would actually remember and bring it up now, after so many years. 

Aurelia’s heart wavered for a moment, thrown off balance, but just for a moment. 

Then another voice in her mind snapped her back to reality, keeping her clear–headed. “In a relationship, the one who isn’t loved is the real homewrecker.” 

So Aurelia kept her face calm, her voice flat and without a trace of emotion as she answered his question. 

“Did you ever love Gideon back then?” Cassian asked. 

“Of course,” Aurelia replied. 

Cassian’s heart gave a sudden, unexpected jolt. 

Just like before, Aurelia nonchalantly swept her hair off her shoulder. “It’s been ages, Mr. Locke. Anyone watching might think you’re the one who can’t let go.” 

Cassian narrowed his eyes, a restless tension building inside him. “And after that? In the years that followed, did you ever…” 

“Mr. Locke!” Aurelia cut him off. “What’s the point of asking me this now? Or are you just trying to keep people thinking I’m the homewrecker between you and Ms. Rowe?” 

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Cassian’s throat tightened. 

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Aurelia took the chance to pull her hand free, her expression frosty as she glanced to the side. “Mr. Kyler, hope you caught that this time. Figure out who’s really the homewrecker.” 

Kyler was probably just passing by. 

When he saw the two of them caught up together again, he instinctively stopped in his tracks. 

He thought no one had noticed him. 

But as soon as he appeared, Aurelia caught sight of him immediately. 

When Aurelia called out to him, Kyler’s expression froze, his face going pale in an instant. 

He glanced up, only to meet Aurelia’s eyes, cool and steady. 

His heart felt like it’d been stabbed, all kinds of feelings tangled up inside. 

Under Aurelia’s direct, open gaze, Kyler awkwardly looked away and walked off. 

** 

“Wait, you actually said that?” Mia exclaimed, her eyes wide in surprise. 

When Aurelia nodded, Mia couldn’t help but crack up, laughing out loud. 

“Way to go, Aurelia!” Mia grinned. 

“We totally scored one for our team!” 

Aurelia replied, her voice calm, “I just want to make it crystal clear. I don’t want anything to do with him anymore. Drawing a hard line is better for everyone involved.” 

Mia bumped her shoulder playfully, teasing, “Some things never change with you. Always such a fighter!” 

“You think that’s tough? I haven’t even gotten to the savage stuff yet,” Aurelia said, smoothing out her slightly messy hair. 

Mia leaned in, eyes sparkling with curiosity. “So what’s the real killer line?” 

“I never enjoyed being with you, not once. I was faking it the whole time,” Aurelia said, her voice icy. 

Mia was totally stunned. 

She just had to give Aurelia a big thumbs–up. 

Gideon called to ask if she was coming back to the auditorium. 

Aurelia told him she wasn’t coming back. 

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She was leaving the space for Tessa to show off. 

“Where are you? I’ll come find you,” Gideon said. 

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It had been a while since they’d last seen each other, so Aurelia thought she might as well catch him up on the project while they were at it. She asked him to meet her at the school gate. 

Aurelia and Mia waited by the front gate for around five minutes. 

Alfred walked out, leading a group of people. 

On his left was Jonathan. 

On his right were Cassian and Tessa. 

Alfred spotted Aurelia first and waved her over. “Ms. Corin, didn’t Mr. Marrick say you had something to take care of and left early?” 

Aurelia smiled. “Yeah, something came up. I didn’t even get a chance to say hi or bye.” 

“I was swamped earlier, so I didn’t get to introduce you properly. This is Jonathan William from the Whitvale School of Management. I remember you were offered a spot there back then,” Alfred said. 

Everyone looked pretty surprised when they heard that. 

But no one was more stunned than Tessa. 

AD