Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 31

The room went dead silent. The air felt heavy and frozen. 

Cassian just stood there, staring at Aurelia with eyes cold enough to cut glass. 

After a long pause, his voice came out low and bitter. “Because of Gideon?” 

Aurelia blinked, confused for a moment–until she caught the cold smirk twisting his lips. Then she understood. 

So that was what he thought of her. That was who he believed she was. 

The thought almost made her laugh. 

Maybe it was the cold night air seeping in through the window, but the chill sank all the way to her bones. 

He was the one who’d changed first. He was the one who’d cheated first. Yet somehow, she was the one being accused, the one being painted as the villain. 

The cold steadied her. Aurelia looked him in the eye and said calmly, “Guess I learned from you. You’re right–it is interesting, moving on without missing a beat.” 

Lately, everyone at the office felt that Aurelia—once the ultimate workaholic–had changed. She wasn’t the same anymore. She started clocking in and out right on time, and her wardrobe had transformed. She seemed to be glowing, which was hard for anyone to believe. 

After all, in everyone’s eyes, Aurelia had always been unlucky–both in work and in love. 

Even though Cassian had never admitted their relationship publicly, anyone with half a brain could see what was going on. Now that the woman Cassian truly loved had come back, everyone thought Aurelia would completely fall apart. 

But she didn’t. She acted like nothing had happened. She did her job, kept her head down, and not once did she show the slightest hint of sadness or pain. 

Instead, it was Cassian who started acting off. 

He was supposed to be at the top of his game–successful in both love and career–but his face stayed dark all day long. 

The whole executive floor was wrapped in tension. Every investment director from the other departments had been chewed out by Cassian, except for Tessa. 

Before, when things got that bad, everyone would run to Aurelia for help. 

She was the only one in the whole company who could handle Cassian’s temper and knew how to calm him down. 

But this time, Aurelia turned them all down. 

Scott, the director of Strategic Division Two, looked like he was about to cry. “Ms. Corin, please, just help me out. I really don’t have any other options.” 

“I’m sorry. I can’t help you,” Aurelia said, shutting down her computer right on time, making it clear that she wasn’t changing 

her mind. 

Scott followed her, still begging, but Aurelia ignored him. 

18:12 Fri, Dec 19 M 

Chapter 31 

As usual, she placed the documents Cassian needed to sign along with a new resignation letter–on his desk, then left right. 

on time. 

Scott paced anxiously. If Cassian didn’t approve the funding soon, his project would collapse–and with it, his chance at a big year–end bonus. 

“Nadia, you’re on good terms with Ms. Corin, right? Go ask her for help, Scott said desperately, turning to his subordinate. 

Nadia froze. She was the one who had made those snide remarks about Aurelia on Instagram during the team–building trip. 

Of course, she didn’t dare agree. She’d gotten drunk and posted without thinking, forgetting to block Aurelia. 

Even though she blocked Aurelia later when a coworker reminded her, she always felt that Aurelia had already seen it. 

And lately, Aurelia had been noticeably cold toward her. Whenever Nadia came to her for work–related questions, Aurelia was polite but distant. If something was wrong, she rejected it outright. 

Before, Aurelia would’ve pointed out her mistakes and even suggested how to fix them. 

“What are you staring at me for? Go!” Scott snapped, raking his fingers through his hair. “If this project tanks, forget about you–even I’ll be packing my bags!” 

Hearing that, Nadia panicked. “Maybe it’d be better to ask Ms. Rowe instead.” 

“Then hurry up!” Scott urged. 

During the team–building trip, Nadia had worked hard to cozy up to Tessa, so they were on decent terms. 

When Nadia found her, Tessa agreed right away. “I was just about to see Cassian anyway. I’ll take this document for you.” 

“Thank you so much, Ms. Rowe,” Nadia said gratefully. 

“We work together. You don’t have to be all formal. Besides, I might need your help one day,” Tessa said with a pleasant smile. 

“Of course, anytime,” Nadia promised. 

Tessa’s smile deepened. She was always good at winning people over. 

She had only just joined Honoria Capital. To downplay Aurelia’s past achievements, she had rejected every project Aurelia had led. 

But now, without any solid projects of her own, she had to find another way to make herself look capable. 

Nadia had no idea that by going to Tessa, she’d just stepped into a trap./ 

When Tessa went to Cassian’s office, he had just finished an online meeting, his expression dark and severe. 

She didn’t bother knocking–just pushed the door open. But before she could speak, Cassian said, “Aurelia, get me a cup of coffee.” 

Tessa froze for a second. She didn’t say anything, just quietly turned around, went out, and made him a cup of coffee. 

When she came back, Cassian was still busy. She placed the cup in front of him without a word. 

He picked it up, took a sip, and frowned. “How’d your coffee–making get worse?” 

When he looked up, he realized it wasn’t Aurelia standing there–it was Tessa. 

18:12 M1, Dec 19 MM 

Chapter 31 

“Does it taste bad?” she asked, looking a little hurt. 

Cassian was silent for a moment. “No, it’s fine.” 

here?” But he didn’t touch the coffee again. Instead, he asked, “What brings you 

“This is an urgent document from Strategic Division Two that requires your approval,” Tessa said. 

“Why are you bringing this? Where’s Aurelia?” Cassian asked, frowning again, his tone sharp. 

“I think she already left for the day,” Tessa replied. 

Cassian paused mid–page. Hearing that Aurelia had left on time again made his irritation spike. 

Ever since that night they’d parted on bad terms, they hadn’t had a proper conversation. 

He thought that, like always, if he gave her the silent treatment, Aurelia would realize her mistake and come to him to make 

1. up. 

But two whole days had passed, and she hadn’t come to him 

once. 

She clocked out right on time every day, then disappeared as if off the face of the earth–totally unreachable. 

Cassian knew she was acting differently this time, but he still thought she was just throwing a tantrum, doing things behind his back to get his attention. 

While he was reviewing the document, Tessa, who was bored, glanced through the stack of papers on his desk. 

She wasn’t expecting to find Aurelia’s resignation letter among them. 

She froze for a moment, then picked it up and asked, “Cassian, is Ms. Corin resigning?” 

Cassian grunted in acknowledgment without looking up. 

“So, did you approve it?” Tessa asked. 

“No,” Cassian said coldly. 

“Why not? She’s just a secretary. You can replace her easily,” Tessa said. 

Cassian didn’t even glance up. “She’s different.” 

Tessa’s fingers tightened around the letter. That simple answer stirred a quiet unease she couldn’t shake. 

== R