Bones Learn To Listen When Silence Speaks by Ryn Miles 4

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The moment Miranda heard there’d be drinking, she tensed up. “No. Aurelia isn’t feeling well. She can’t 

drink.” 

Miranda had been there the night Aurelia was hospitalized for alcohol poisoning. What she saw that night had burned itself into her memory. 

The doctor had even said that if they’d gotten there any later, Aurelia might not have made it. 

Jasper didn’t take it well. “You’re underestimating Aurelia, aren’t you? Everyone knows she can hold her liquor. Remember when she went north with Cassian to close that deal? She drank two full rounds with twenty people and was totally fine. 

“What’s the problem now? Three glasses too much for her? Is she playing favorites? Or is she trying to disrespect Tessa?” 

Tessa quickly stepped in, not wanting things to get tense. “Jasper, don’t make it difficult for Ms. Corin.” 

But Jasper didn’t back off. “How am I making it difficult?” 

He turned to Cassian. “Cassian, am I?” 

Cassian lifted his eyes, his expression unreadable. His gaze swept across Aurelia’s face, and a cold smile curved his lips. “No.” 

That was all Jasper needed to hear. “See? Even Cassian says I’m not. Tessa, you’re just too softhearted—unlike Aurelia. She’s a veteran in the business world. She knows exactly how to dodge trouble and still get what she 

wants.” 

Aurelia didn’t respond to his taunts. She just looked at Cassian, as if searching for something–anything–in his eyes. 

It was like clinging to one last, fragile hope before giving up completely. She was waiting for him to step in, to say something, even something as small as “that’s enough” or “cut it out.” 

But Cassian didn’t say a word. His eyes stayed cold and distant. 

Something inside Aurelia broke then. It was as if someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over her, snuffing out the last flicker of warmth in her heart. 

She smiled faintly, almost dazed, then bent down to pick up a glass from the table. Her voice was steady. “I’m sorry. I forgot the rules. I’ll drink.” 

Over the years, she’d learned all kinds of tricks to survive drinking parties–eating beforehand, drinking milk or yogurt, taking slow, careful sips. Those tricks had always gotten her through. 

But tonight, she didn’t use any of them. She just lifted the glass again and again and swallowed the liquor straight down. 

The burn hit her instantly, searing her throat and nose, twisting the cramps in her already aching stomach 

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into sharp pain. 

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Still, she calmly raised the empty glass toward Cassian. “I’m done. Can I go now, Mr. Locke?” 

She couldn’t tell whether Cassian nodded or not–because she didn’t wait to find out. 

Aurelia turned and walked out. 

Her stomach was in knots, and she was terrified she’d throw up before she even made it to the bathroom. 

She barely made it to the restroom before collapsing over the toilet, vomiting until she was dizzy and lightheaded. 

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In a bleak sort of way, she was thankful that she’d taken stomach medicine before drinking; it wasn’t anything that would react badly with alcohol. Otherwise, she would probably be in a hospital bed right now. 

No one was born a heavy drinker. Before joining Honoria Capital, Aurelia hadn’t touched a single drop. 

The first time she’d gone to a business dinner with Cassian, they’d run into a client who insisted Cassian drink to show sincerity. 

But Cassian was allergic to alcohol. He couldn’t have any. 

So Aurelia stepped in and volunteered to drink for him. It was her first time ever drinking. One glass had made her cough and choke. 

Still, thinking about how hard Cassian had worked for that opportunity, she forced it down, no matter how much it burned. 

That was the first deal she’d ever helped Cassian win. 

He’d told her she was the hero of Honoria Capital and that when they made it big, he wanted to share all the glory with her. 

For that promise, for that imagined future, Aurelia never let Cassian drink again. 

Every time there was a business dinner, she drank in his place. One glass at a time, she built up her tolerance. 

But now, seven years later, the armor she’d built protecting him had become the weapon he used to defend the woman he truly loved. 

It hurt–but it also made everything perfectly clear. 

When Aurelia left the West Legacy Club, rain was pouring down. The late autumn rain had come out of nowhere. 

Her stomach still felt raw, and her face had gone completely pale. 

She pulled out her phone to call a car, but Cassian’s driver spotted her and jogged over. “Ms. Corin, is the party over? Where’s Mr. Locke? Didn’t he come out with you?” 

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“No, he’ll probably stay a while longer,” she said softly, her voice faint and distant, 

The party inside was still lively. With a beautiful woman in his arms, Cassian probably wasn’t going anywhere 

anytime soon. 

The driver glanced toward the entrance, then back at her pale face, and made up his mind. “Ms. Corin, why don’t I drive you home first? It’s late, and it’s raining–it’ll be tough to get a car.” 

Aurelia didn’t refuse. She really felt awful and didn’t want to push herself anymore. 

But halfway home, Cassian’s call came through. He asked the driver where he was. 

The driver told him honestly that Aurelia wasn’t feeling well, and since it might take a while, he was driving her home first. 

Cassian’s cold, angry voice came through over the speaker. “Do you remember who pays your salary?” 

The driver flinched in panic. “I’ll come back for you right away, sir.” 

Before hanging up, Cassian’s tone suddenly softened, the coldness gone as if it had never been there. “The car will be here soon. It’s cold–wait inside.” 

Then came Tessa’s gentle voice. “Then wait with me, Cassian.” 

Aurelia didn’t hear Cassian’s reply. The call cut off. 

The driver looked awkward, clearly unsure what to do. 

Aurelia said quietly, “Wesley, just drop me off on the side of the road. I’ll call a car myself.” 

The road ahead was empty–no taxis, no shelter from the rain. 

Wesley’s guilt showed on his face. Before she got out, he handed her an umbrella. 

Tonight had been nothing but bad luck for her, but for once, it felt like fate finally had a little mercy. Not long after she stepped out into the rain, another car happened to drive by. 

Even so, the next day, Aurelia came down with a fever. 

Her body was still weak from the miscarriage, and her stomach issues kept coming back. Her immune system was shot–she couldn’t even handle a little wind or rain. 

But she had a meeting that day with Caleb Morgan from NexPath Group to discuss the same project that Cassian had called her out for in the meeting. 

If she postponed again, she didn’t know what kind of passive–aggressive remarks Cassian would throw her 

way. 

Aurelia glanced at the thermometer. Her temperature wasn’t dangerously high, just high enough to make her feel miserable. 

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She could have taken some fever medicine, but Caleb was known for being a heavy drinker who liked to talk 

business over a bottle. 

So she shoved the medicine back into the drawer, grabbed her files, and left the office without looking back. 

***** 

Aurelia had just ordered the food and drinks when Caleb arrived. 

Seeing that everything on the table was his favorite, Caleb grinned. “Ms. Corin, are you sure you won’t reconsider? Come work for me at NexPath Group. Name your salary.” 

“Thank you for the offer, Mr. Morgan, but my contract with Honoria Capital isn’t up yet. I don’t plan to leave for now.” That was always Aurelia’s answer. 

Her talent and results spoke for themselves. Plenty of people in the industry admired her and tried to poach 

her. 

Once, a client had gotten drunk and tried to recruit her right in front of Cassian. 

Cassian hadn’t said a word then–but that night, he’d been ruthlessly rough with her in bed. 

In the end, Aurelia had to sign a long–term contract with Honoria Capital just to calm him down. 

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