Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 3

When Aurelia finished passing out the documents and turned around, Tessa was already seated. But she was sitting in the seat that Aurelia usually took. 

Aurelia froze for a second and was about to say something. But then she heard Cassian say, “From now on, you sit over there.” 

Tessa smiled apologetically at Aurelia. “I’m new to the company and have a lot to learn from Cassian, so it’s more convenient if I sit closer to him.” 

Since Cassian had spoken, Aurelia had no room to argue. She silently gathered her files and laptop and moved to a seat in the corner. 

During this, no one else in the meeting room dared to say a word. But Aurelia could clearly feel their eyes on her, filled with pity. And that pity just made her skin crawl. 

Halfway through the meeting, Cassian questioned one of the projects. “Why hasn’t this project been started yet? Who’s in charge of it?” he asked. 

His voice was harsh. Anyone who knew him knew that he was about to get angry. The entire office held its breath. 

In the tense silence, Aurelia stood up. “I’m in charge of it.” 

Cassian shot her a cold look, his tone incredibly severe. “Explain.” 

“I’m sorry. I was sick the past few days, which delayed the project’s progress-” 

Before she could even finish, Cassian cut in, “That’s no excuse. I’ve said it before. No one is allowed to let their personal matters affect their work. That’s the rule.” 

Aurelia didn’t argue anymore. She just said, “I’ll catch up on the work.” 

Only then was Cassian satisfied. 

Before the meeting ended, Cassian invited everyone to the welcome party he was hosting for Tessa at the West Legacy Club that evening. He wanted all of them to come and have fun. 

The West Legacy Club was the most exclusive and expensive club in all of Ashmont. 

His invitation was a huge gesture that showed just how much he valued Tessa. It made everyone else in the company see Tessa in a new light. 

Even Miranda, who was not the brightest, could tell something was wrong. 

As she helped Aurelia clean up the conference room, she quietly asked, “Aurelia, are you okay?” 

She was one of the few people who had a vague idea about Aurelia and Cassian’s relationship. 

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Aurelia’s voice was calm enough. “I’m fine.” 

“But you look a little pale,” Miranda said, very worried. 

Aurelia touched her own face. “Is it that obvious?” 

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Miranda nodded hard. “Very obvious.” 

“My stomach is acting up. You know, it’s an old problem,” Aurelia said, making up a quick excuse. 

“Are you going to the welcome party tonight?” Miranda asked. 

Aurelia thought for a moment and said, “I think I’ll skip it. Can you tell Mr. Locke for me?” 

Cassian had invited the entire company to welcome Tessa. With so many people attending, Aurelia felt that her presence wouldn’t matter. 

She thought that the Cassian of today probably wouldn’t even notice she was gone. It made no difference whether she went or not. 

“That’s probably for the best. You should go home early and rest. Taking care of your health is what’s important,” Miranda told her. 

Even Miranda could see that she wasn’t well. But Cassian, the man who used to share her bed and secrets, hadn’t noticed a thing. 

In the past, Aurelia could lie to herself and say Cassian was just focused on his career, and that was why he didn’t notice these small details. 

But now, it seemed she couldn’t lie to herself anymore. 

As if on cue, her stomach started to hurt again. But she still had a lot of work to do, so she could only take painkillers to ease the pain. 

She pushed through until the end of the workday. The moment Aurelia got home, she curled up on the bed, without even the strength to lift a finger. 

A wave of complete exhaustion, both physical and mental, washed over her. 

After curling up for a long time, her body started to feel a little better, and she felt sleepy. 

Aurelia thought that maybe a good night’s sleep would make her feel better. 

But just as she fell asleep, she was woken up by a phone call. 

That ringtone was the one she had set just for Cassian. The sound that used to make her so happy now felt 

like torture. 

She didn’t want to answer. She let the phone ring. 

She knew Cassian had no patience. If she didn’t pick up, he wouldn’t call a second time. 

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But this time, Cassian broke his own rule. 

She didn’t answer, and he called again. 

At this point, it was no longer okay to ignore it. 

“Mr. Locke, is there something you need?” Aurelia answered, her voice distant and cold–not like before. 

Cassian frowned and looked at his screen to make sure he had called the right number. Then he asked, “Where are you?” 

“I’m not feeling well, so I won’t be coming. I hope you all have a great time,” Aurelia said and was about to hang up. 

But then she heard Tessa’s voice from the other end of the line. She was asking Cassian, “Is Ms. Corin not coming? Cassian, does she not like me?” 

Then Cassian warned her in an extremely cold voice, “Aurelia, don’t act so high and mighty. Everyone is here except you. Are you trying to show everyone how different you are?” 

Aurelia tried to explain, “I-” 

“You have twenty minutes. If you’re not here, you don’t have to bother coming to the office ever again!“Cassian cut her off and hung up the phone. 

Aurelia listened to the dial tone and suddenly felt like laughing. 

She couldn’t believe that just for missing a welcome party, Cassian would get so angry that he would threaten to fire her. 

She suddenly didn’t understand what all her years of hard work and sweat meant. She didn’t know what the point was of the severe stomach problems she got from drinking so much to close deals for him. 

***** 

When Aurelia arrived at the West Legacy Club, the private room was buzzing with excitement. 

Jasper was loudly cheering, daring Cassian and Tessa to drink with their arms linked. 

Cassian’s voice was soft and indulgent, nothing like the cold tone he had used on the phone. “Oh, come on. Don’t mess around.” 

“Cassian, you’re no fun. When we’re out to party, you have to let loose. We all did it. Is it fair if you don’t?” Jasper winked. 

Before Cassian could answer, Tessa picked up her glass and confidently invited him, “Cassian, it’s just a game. Play along, okay? Don’t make me look bad.” 

With everyone watching in anticipation, Cassian picked up his cup. 

At the exact moment Tessa linked her arm with his, Cassian’s eyes met Aurelia’s at the doorway. 

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They locked eyes for a brief second before Cassian coolly looked away, moving closer to Tessa and raising his 

cup. 

Jasper pulled out his phone to take a picture to gossip with his friends later. In his excitement, he accidentally bumped into Tessa. 

“Be careful.” The two of them were standing very close. Cassian instinctively reached out and caught Tessa. She fell right into his arms. 

The atmosphere in the room seemed to hit its peak at that moment. 

From where Aurelia was standing, the two of them looked like a couple in a loving embrace. 

At that moment, she didn’t know if it was because she was numb, but she didn’t feel any pain in her heart. However, her stomach was churning violently. 

Just then, a gasp cut through the lively noise in the room. It was Miranda. 

She saw Aurelia standing at the door and couldn’t help but cry out, “Aurelia, you came? I thought you weren’t feeling well. Why aren’t you at home resting?” 

Her concern felt so out of place with the party atmosphere. 

Tessa looked up from Cassian’s arms and smiled. “Ms. Corin, you’re here! Come on in. We were waiting for you.” 

“Sorry, something held me up,” Aurelia said as she walked into the room, managing to look calm. 

Jasper, however, felt a strange sense of guilt, as if he had taken things a little too far. 

He was about to try to explain, but then Cassian said with a cold expression, “Shouldn’t the one who’s late make up for it with three drinks?” 

The mere mention of alcohol made Aurelia’s stomach tighten, a sharp pain rolling through her like rough waves in a storm. 

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