When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 182

Chapter One Hundred And Eighty–Two: Just Kiss Me.

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Inside the room, the lighting was soft, dimmed to a gentle amber glow. Dreston’s bed had been adjusted upright so he was sitting comfortably against the pillows. Several monitors still surrounded him, screens displaying steady lines and numbers. The doctor and two nurses stood nearby, reviewing the chart.

Cassienne paused near the door. The moment she entered, Dreston’s grey eyes locked onto her.

He didn’t look away. Not even for a second.

The intensity of his gaze made her heart pound so hard she thought it might bruise her ribs. Cassienne forced herself to stay calm, though her hands trembled at her sides.

She first looked toward the doctor. He gave her a reassuring nod.

“You may come closer,” he said gently.

Cassienne stepped forward slowly.

“We seem to be making progress,” the doctor added.

Her heart fluttered.

Progress?

The doctor turned to Dreston. “Mr. Tremont wanted to speak with you.”

“Leave us, doctor.”

The sudden interruption surprised everyone. The doctor hesitated. Then he looked at Cassienne. He leaned slightly toward her and whispered quietly.

“Please be careful with him.”

Cassienne frowned slightly but nodded.

As soon as the doctor and nurses stepped out of the room, the door closed softly behind them. Silence filled the space again.

Dreston kept watching her. His gaze was intense. Cassienne felt it like heat against her skin.

But finally he spoke. “I called you here to confirm something.”

Cassienne remained quiet.

“And to ask some questions.”

She nodded once.

Dreston leaned back slightly against the pillow. “I’ve been having flashes.”

Cassienne’s eyes widened. Hope sparked instantly. It was bright, and painful, almost too much to bear.

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Chapter One Hundred And Eighty–Two Just Kiss Me

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“Flashes of you and me.”

Her heart jumped into her throat. She almost smiled, but she held herself back.

“It’s strange,” Dreston continued slowly. “I know that our marriage wasn’t intimate.”

Cassienne felt a painful sting in her chest.

“But in those flashes… we are….” He studied her carefully. “Tell me something.” His voice softened slightly. “What do you think about that?”

Cassienne’s mind raced. She wanted to tell him everything–every moment they had shared, every promise he had made, every night she had cried herself to sleep wishing he would remember her. But the doctor’s warning echoed in her mind.

Let him discover it himself.

So she replied carefully. “I don’t know.” She tilted her head slightly. “You tell me.”

Dreston watched her for a long moment. “You look familiar.”

Cassienne gave a small breath. “I was your wife.”

“That’s not what I mean.” His voice lowered. “This is different… Cass.”

They both froze.

The name hung between them.

Cass.

Cassienne’s heart skipped. Dreston frowned slightly. “Why did I call you that?” He looked confused. “ Have we been to a vineyard together before?”

Cassienne’s eyes widened again. Hope surged inside her, it was wild, fragile, almost too real.

“Yes.” Her voice was softer now. “We have.”

“Where?”

“Garry’s family vineyard.”

Dreston frowned again. “Then why can’t I remember it?”

He pressed his fingers against his temple. “Why do I keep seeing flashes of us… doing things I never imagined?”

Cassienne’s breathing quickened. He was remembering. It might be slow, fragmented, painful–but he was remembering. She felt like crying again. Maybe everything wasn’t lost after all.

Then Dreston said something that stunned her.

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Choplexe Hundred And Fighty Two Just Kiss Me

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“I need you to kiss me, Cass.”

Cassienne blinked. “…What?”

“I need to understand something.” He looked at her seriously. “I know I’m asking too much.” His voice dropped.

“But please.”

“Just kiss me.”

His eyes searched hers.

“Like you mean it.”

Cassienne’s heart pounded wildly.

This could help him remember. Maybe it was exactly what his mind needed–a physical anchor, a bridge between the flashes and the truth. But after a brief hesitation, she stepped closer to him.

Then she leaned forward, and kissed him. At first his body went completely still. But then… He reacted.

His hand gripped the sheet. He deepened the kiss. It was slow at first, then hungry, desperate, like a man finally tasting something he had been starving for. Cassienne felt his response instantly, and a soft moan escaped her lips.

Then suddenly, the monitor began to beep loudly–sharp, insistent alarms cutting through the quiet.

Cassienne pulled away instantly. Dreston gasped sharply. His breathing turned uneven, ragged.

The door burst open. The doctor strode in, nurses right behind him.

“Mr. Tremont!”

Machines began chiming urgently.

The doctor quickly checked the monitors, adjusting settings, issuing quiet commands to the nurses.

Cassienne backed away, terrified. Her heart was racing. “I’m sorry-”

But no one was listening.

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