Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 24

Chapter 24 

Chapter 24 

Aurelia had no idea why Cassian was there–and she didn’t want to know. 

After a brief glance at him, she buried whatever she was feeling and walked straight inside. 

But Cassian was standing right at the entrance of her building. To get home, she had to pass him. All she could hope for was that he’d pretend not to see her. 

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Too bad–he wasn’t blind. As she drew closer, his voice cut through the cold night. “Why are you back so late?” 

The way he said it made it seem like he had the right to ask. 

Aurelia almost laughed. She didn’t know what gave him that right. 

When she didn’t respond, Cassian grabbed her arm. The sudden pull tugged at the wound on her elbow, and she hissed from the pain. 

Cassian seemed to realize something and quickly let go. His brow furrowed even tighter. “Where are you hurt? Is it serious?” 

His voice sounded concerned, but the concern came too late–and felt too fake. Aurelia didn’t want it anymore. She felt nothing. 

“What do you want? Just say it,” she said coldly. 

Cassian frowned again, slowly piecing together that her strange attitude lately might have been because she was angry with him. 

For once, he softened his tone. “About appointing Tessa as the director of Strategic Division Three, I really should’ve told you beforehand. I was just too busy at the time and didn’t get around to it.” 

Aurelia thought being busy was the perfect excuse–one that worked in almost any situation, any relationship, but not in a close one. In that case, it was nothing but a brush–off. 

She listened to his explanation, but her heart stayed numb. “Are you done? Can I go now?” 

Cassian hadn’t expected that. In the seven years they’d been together, what he liked most about Aurelia was that she was always reasonable and capable, someone who saw the bigger picture. She never argued or made demands. 

He thought she’d understand and believe him, like she always did. That even if there was a misunderstanding, one explanation from him would be enough. 

But this time, it was different. The warmth that used to live in her eyes was gone, replaced by a chill that blended into the night. 

Her reaction unsettled Cassian in a way he couldn’t explain. “Aurelia, I’ve said what I needed to say. I understand you’re upset, but there’s a limit. And about your absence without leave–I hope this is the last 

time.” 

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Chapter 24 

By the end, his tone was back to its usual command. 

: 

“I understand,” Aurelia said, lowering her gaze to hide the emotions flickering in her eyes. 

Cassian’s brow finally eased. “It’s late. Get some rest. There’s an investment committee meeting tomorrow morning. Come in early to prepare. 

“You’ve been gone for days, and your assistant has messed things up–there are delays everywhere.” 

Aurelia wanted to say that if he weren’t holding her up, she would’ve been home in bed already. But she didn’t. 

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From the look on his face, he seemed like he wanted to go upstairs with her. She was about to refuse when his phone rang. 

This time, Aurelia didn’t even bother glancing at the screen. She’d lost all curiosity about him. 

Cassian seemed to know who it was. He didn’t answer in front of her and only said, “Go on up.” 

Aurelia turned away. She had just reached the elevator when she heard his voice outside as he picked up the call. “Tessa, what’s wrong?” 

A cold laugh rose in Aurelia’s mind. The elevator doors slid open, and she stepped inside, pressing the close button again and again, desperate to shut everything out. 

That night, Aurelia–who hadn’t slept well in days–couldn’t fall asleep at all. She tossed and turned for hours. 

Around eleven, Mia texted her, sending over seven or eight lawyer contacts on WhatsApp–some she’d found through her own network, others she’d seen online. She was doing everything she could to help. 

Since sleep was impossible anyway, Aurelia started reaching out to the lawyers. 

At first, they all sounded confident. But as soon as they heard that the case involved Honoria Capital’s legal department, they all backed out. 

The reality was worse than she’d imagined. 

She had signed that agreement voluntarily, and that alone was enough to make her lose. 

Filing a lawsuit wasn’t an option. If the company dragged things out for years, her career would be over long before the verdict came. 

So she had to start with Cassian. Which meant she still had to deal with him. 

That thought filled her with frustration. It felt like punishment for her own reckless love. 

Mia asked, “So what now?” 

Aurelia steadied her voice. “I’ll just have to swallow my pride and be patient for now.” 

Mia was impressed. “Aurelia, you’ve finally woken up. That’s great.” 

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Chapter 24 

Aurelia thought she was lucky–better late than never. 

(43) 

But she knew–only one percent of waking up came from someone else’s reminder. The other ninety–nine came from heartbreak. 

The next morning, Aurelia arrived at the office early. 

Cassian came in with Tessa. When he saw Aurelia quietly working at her desk, he felt a wave of relief. 

Now he was certain–her strange behavior lately had just been her throwing a little tantrum. He’d given a simple explanation last night, and here she was, back to being obedient. 

Cassian was satisfied. After he and Tessa went into his office, he pressed the intercom button and asked Aurelia to bring two coffees in. 

She did as told. 

“Cassian, can you take a look at this presentation? See if there’s anything else I should change?” Tessa asked. 

“Didn’t I go over it with you last night?” Cassian said. 

“I made a few more tweaks,” she replied in that sweet, sugary tone of hers. 

Aurelia couldn’t help wondering how Tessa managed to sound that fake. 

Cassian leaned over to help her again. Aurelia placed the documents that needed signing on his desk. “Mr. Locke, these need your signature.” 

“Just leave them there,” Cassian said, not even glancing up, fully focused on Tessa’s slides. 

Aurelia quietly turned and left the office. After sending the meeting agenda she’d written to Miranda, she walked out of Honoria Capital. 

Of course, she didn’t forget to tell Miranda that if Cassian asked, she was out organizing the celebration party. 

Every time a new branch of Honoria Capital went public, they threw a huge celebration. Aurelia had always been the one in charge, and this time was no exception. 

So no one–not even Cassian–would question her excuse. 

She reached the hospital at nine–thirty and went straight to check on Ella. Her condition hadn’t changed. 

When Aurelia walked in, Ella looked past her instinctively, searching for someone else. 

When she realized Aurelia was alone, disappointment flickered across her face. 

Aurelia knew who she was hoping to see–and what she wanted to say to Cassian. But Aurelia couldn’t tell her 

the truth. 

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Chapter 24 

… 

: 

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For now, all she could do was hide it and let Ella focus on getting better. 

While waiting for Gideon for half an hour, Miranda texted Aurelia, fuming: [Aurelia, do you know what just happened at the investment committee meeting?] 

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