When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 185

Chapter One Hundred And Eighty–Five: Business Time.

+25 Bonus

Cassienne pushed open the door of her apartment slowly. The soft click of the lock behind her echoed gently in the quiet space. For a moment she stood there, just inside the doorway, letting the silence settle around her.

It felt strange to be back home.

The last few days had been a storm of emotions, fear, anger, heartbreak, and hope all tangled together. The hospital corridors, the machines, the doctors‘ voices, and the painful moments with Dreston still lingered in her mind.

But here, inside her apartment, everything felt calmer. It is safer and comforting.

Cassienne slipped off her heels and placed them neatly by the door. Her shoulders relaxed slightly as she walked further into the living room.

The familiar scent of her home welcomed her. It’s been a while since she left home. She placed her handbag on the console table and the paper bag from her fruit shopping on the kitchen counter and paused for a moment.

Her gaze drifted across the room. Everything looked exactly the same as she had left it. Yet somehow, she felt different. She felt stronger now.

She made a quiet mental note.

“I need to go to Dreston’s place and collect my things.”

The thought crossed her mind naturally. She had moved between the two places so often lately that many of her belongings were still there.

But that could wait. Right now, she needed to breathe.

She walked toward the bedroom and disappeared inside. A few minutes later, the sound of running

water filled the apartment.

The warm shower helped wash away the heaviness that had clung to her all day. Cassienne closed her eyes as the water flowed over her shoulders, letting the warmth calm her racing thoughts.

When she stepped out again, she felt lighter. Not completely free of worry–but steadier.

She changed into comfortable clothes: soft grey lounge pants and a loose white shirt. Her hair, still slightly damp, fell over her shoulders as she walked barefoot toward the kitchen.

On the way home she had stopped briefly at the supermarket.

Fresh fruits now sat neatly inside a paper bag on the counter.

Cassienne pulled the bag open and began taking them out one by one–bright oranges, fresh apples, and a few lemons.

1/4

Chapter One Hundred And Eighty–Five Business Time

+25 Bonus

She picked up one of the oranges and rolled it gently on the counter. For a moment, her hands paused. Her mind had drifted somewhere else again.

Back to Dreston’s kitchen.

She could see it clearly. The sunlight, pouring through the tall windows. The smell of breakfast cooking.

Dreston standing behind her, pretending to help while distracting her every chance he got.

She remembered how he had stolen kisses and all that, while he still helped to cut the vegetables, and

how he had leaned over her shoulder to kiss her neck.

Cassienne smiled.

He had been impossible that morning.

Every time she tried to focus on cooking, he had pulled her back into his arms.

“Dreston,” she had laughed then, trying to push him away. “Stop distracting me.”

“Never,” he had whispered against her ear. The memory warmed her chest. Her smile softened as she instinctively lowered one hand to her abdomen.

Her palm rested there gently.

“Daddy will be fine soon,” she murmured quietly.

Her voice was soft but steady. “Don’t worry.” She rubbed her stomach lightly.

“He’ll be fine before you come.”

The words were meant for the tiny life growing inside her, but in truth, they were reassurance for herself.

Cassienne exhaled slowly.

Then she returned her focus to the task in front of her. She cut the oranges neatly in half and placed them into the juicer. The machine hummed softly as the fresh juice flowed into the container below.

The scent of citrus filled the kitchen.

One by one, she pressed the fruits down, watching the bright liquid gather slowly.

The simple routine felt comforting, and normal.

When the last orange was done, she poured the fresh juice into a glass jar.

The color was vibrant, glowing like sunlight. She lifted the jar and took a long drink. The fresh juice was cool and sweet, refreshing after the long day.

She drank nearly the entire jar in one go before setting it back down on the counter. A small sigh escaped her.

2/4

Chapter Cine tndred And Eighty Five Business Time

+25 Bonus

Now she feels better.

She rinsed the juicer and cleaned the counter before leaving the kitchen.

Back in the living room, she settled comfortably onto the couch. Her tablet rested on the coffee table.

Cassienne picked it up and unlocked the screen. Her mind had already shifted gears. Back to work. For the first time since the accident, she allowed herself to think about the office again.

Returning to work felt like the right decision she has ever made. And sitting around worrying would only

make things worse.

The doctor had said there was hope that Dreston would recover. And maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow either, or, maybe not this month. But soon. And that was enough for her to hold on to.

And until then, she would stay strong for him, for herself. And for the child growing inside her.

Cassienne opened her work files on the tablet and began reviewing a few documents.

Her focus returned. Her breathing steadied. She had made up her mind that she would not allow sadness to control her anymore.

Whatever was happening now was temporary. She would stay strong and when Dreston was ready, when his memories returned. She would be there to help him heal.

The quiet determination settled inside her chest. Just then, her phone buzzed on the table beside her.

Cassienne glanced at it casually.

At first she assumed it was either Joseph or one of her friends checking on her. But when she picked it up and looked at the screen, her brows lifted slightly.

The message was from Jeff Sandler. She tapped the notification, and the message appeared on the

screen.

Jeff: Hi. I heard what happened. I hope he gets better soon. We need to talk. Very urgent.

Cassienne stared at the message for a moment. Then she read it again. Her expression grew thoughtful.

Jeff rarely messaged her. And using the word ‘urgent‘ means that something serious was involved.

She didn’t hesitate much.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify