Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 27

Chapter 27 

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“What’s wrong?” Tessa asked when she noticed the odd look on Cassian’s face. 

 

Cassian casually grabbed the resignation letter from his desk and tossed it into a drawer. “Nothing. I’m done. Let’s go eat.” 

“Okay,” Tessa said softly, already looking forward to dinner with him. 

***** 

Aurelia arrived at the airport on time. Gideon spotted her the second he walked out. 

“You actually came to pick me up,” he said, clearly pleased. 

Aurelia smiled. “I promised, didn’t I? I’m not the type to break my word.” 

“That’s more like it,” Gideon said with a grin. The two left the airport together, chatting and laughing as they 

went. 

Aurelia had already booked a restaurant. After picking Gideon up, she drove straight there. 

It was the dinner rush when they arrived, and the place was packed. 

Once they were seated, Aurelia introduced a few of the restaurant’s specialties. 

Gideon seemed content, but as they ate, he noticed she was only picking at the milder dishes. 

“I thought you used to love spicy food,” he said, raising a brow. 

“My stomach hasn’t been great these past couple of years,” Aurelia explained. “The doctor told me to cut back on spicy stuff, so now I mostly stick to plain food.” 

“No wonder you’ve gotten so thin,” Gideon said, frowning. “I still remember the first time I saw you at Professor Horton’s house–you had a little baby fat on your cheeks.” 

He gave her a once–over and added, “Look at you now–so skinny there’s nothing to pinch.” 

“Isn’t being slim a good thing?” Aurelia teased. 

“No,” Gideon said flatly. “You should take better care of yourself.” 

He immediately called the waiter back and ordered every light, healthy dish on the menu. 

Aurelia barely had time to stop him. “Gideon, I can’t eat that much.” 

“Then I’ll help,” he said, laughing. “You have no idea how awful the food was abroad. Every time I come home, I hit the first restaurant I can find.” 

They talked and laughed, the mood light and easy. 

 

Meanwhile, in another part of the restaurant, Tessa got up to use the restroom. On her way, she happened to spot Aurelia sitting with a man. 

Since Gideon’s back was to her, she didn’t see his face–and didn’t recognize him–but she could tell Aurelia was having dinner with a man. 

Excited by the discovery, Tessa hurried back to their private room, barely able to hide her glee. “Cassian, guess who I just saw outside?” 

“Who?” Cassian asked, sounding mildly curious. 

“Ms. Corin,” Tessa said, watching his face closely. 

Cassian’s reaction was calm, unreadable. “What’s so special about that?” 

“It’s not strange to see Ms. Corin,” Tessa said, eyes glinting. “What’s strange is that she’s on a date with another 

man.” 

Cassian didn’t even look up. “Just eat your food.” 

Tessa smiled faintly, catching every subtle change in his expression. 

His indifference made her feel completely at ease. Clearly, she had nothing to worry about–Cassian didn’t care about Aurelia at all. 

Sure, Aurelia had been the only woman around him for years, but Tessa figured he had just seen her as someone useful—a tool. 

After all, men had needs. To put it bluntly, Aurelia was probably just someone Cassian used to satisfy himself. 

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have spent seven years without moving forward. 

Besides, Tessa had never thought much of Aurelia. She might be pretty, but Tessa wasn’t exactly lacking in looks herself. 

And unlike Aurelia, Tessa had what truly mattered–a powerful family and a prestigious education. Those were things Aurelia could never have, not in this lifetime. 

That was why Alina had told her not to bother worrying about Aurelia at all, just to focus on Cassian. 

Now, Tessa finally understood–Alina’s way of thinking was far wiser than hers. 

“Okay,” she said with a bright smile, in a wonderful mood. 

***** 

Ella’s surgery was scheduled for Friday, and Aurelia arrived early at the hospital. 

For the past two days, she had been going into the office each morning and then using the company’s upcoming celebration party as an excuse to head to the hospital afterward. 

 

She’d always been the one organizing those events, so she was familiar with the process and didn’t need to be present all the time. That way, she could spend most of her hours by Ella’s side. 

Ella kept worrying that Aurelia was neglecting her job to take care of her. 

Aurelia would always reassure her with the same gentle lie–that Cassian had given her time off. 

Ella loved hearing that and would even praise Cassian for being such a considerate man. 

Aurelia only sneered silently. Cassian was considerate, sure–but only when it came to Tessa. 

Ella asked about Cassian almost every day, and each time, Aurelia gave the same answer–he was busy with work. 

While they were preparing for the surgery, Ella asked again. 

“He’s busy. He’ll come when he has time,” Aurelia replied softly. 

This time, Ella sounded a little down. “I just worry I might not make it out of—” 

“Mom!” Aurelia cut her off firmly. “You’re going to be fine.” 

Ella nodded weakly. “Okay.” 

A little later, Gideon arrived with a bag of health supplements. 

Ella didn’t recognize him, but since Aurelia introduced him as a friend, she didn’t ask much. 

Gideon stayed to help, and together, they accompanied Ella to the operating room. 

Aurelia thanked him quietly. 

“Are you really going to be that formal with me?” Gideon asked, pretending to be annoyed. 

“You know that’s not what I meant,” Aurelia said with a shrug. 

He laughed. “Relax. I’m just teasing. You’re always so serious.” 

He still had that same old habit of patting her on the head. In the past, Aurelia would immediately protest, “Stop doing that–you’re messing up my hair.” 

And Gideon would always grin and say, “Then I’ll just spend my life fixing it for you.” 

It had just been a silly childhood joke back then–something he said without thinking, and she never took it seriously. 

The wait outside the operating room was long and agonizing, but having Gideon there made it a little easier 

to bear. 

By coincidence, Alina was also having surgery that same day, just a little later than Ella. 

 

Tessa had Cassian with her, and Daniel was still tied up with work and would come by later. 

“Cassian, I’m so glad you’re here,” Tessa said, her eyes red. “You don’t know how scared I was signing those papers–my hands were shaking.” 

Cassian gently patted her back. “Don’t worry. Your mother’s team is the best in the country. She’ll be fine.” 

Tessa nodded, tears glistening in her eyes. With her head lowered, she looked fragile and pitiful–someone who instantly drew sympathy. 

When Aurelia came back carrying two cups of coffee, that was the sight she saw. 

Tessa stood close to Cassian, her head bowed, eyes red, looking every bit the delicate woman confiding in her lover. 

Cassian’s hand rested gently on her back as he murmured something to comfort her. 

The scene would have been picture–perfect–if they weren’t standing right in the middle of the hallway. 

“Excuse me, could you move?” Aurelia said, cutting through the moment. 

Tessa quickly turned away to wipe her tears, but when she saw who it was, she froze. “Ms. Corin?” 

Cassian turned at the sound of her voice. The moment his eyes landed on Aurelia, he frowned, his tone colder now than it had been a second ago. “What are you doing here?” 

Aurelia’s first instinct was to snap back that he didn’t own the hospital, so she didn’t need to explain herself. 

But then she remembered–he actually was one of the hospital’s investors.