When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 190

Chapter One Hundred And Ninety: That Was A Slip Of Tongue.

+25 Bonus

Later that same late afternoon. Across from the bed, two familiar figures occupied the visitor chairs.

Garry Richardson lounged comfortably with one ankle resting over the opposite knee, while Ray Simpson sat beside him, leaning slightly forward with his elbows on his thighs.

The mood in the room was lighter than it had been in days.

“So,” Garry said with a crooked grin, “do you remember the time you tried to race the headmaster’s car across the school parking lot?”

Dreston blinked. Then a laugh escaped him before he could stop it. “You’re lying.”

Ray shook his head immediately. “Nope. Completely true.”

Garry leaned forward, enjoying the moment.

“You borrowed your father’s sports car and thought you could show off.”

Dreston rubbed his forehead.

“That sounds like something you would do.”

Ray snorted. “No chance. That was entirely your stupidity.”

Garry burst out laughing. “You stalled the engine right in front of the whole student council.”

Dreston groaned. “You two are making this up.”

Ray lifted his hands in surrender. “I swear on my medical license.”

The room filled with laughter.

For a few minutes, the conversation drifted through pieces of their teenage years–reckless pranks, late- night parties, and the countless moments that had bonded the three of them long before adulthood had complicated their lives.

Dreston laughed harder than he had in days. The sound felt strange even to him. But it was good.

Then the conversation shifted unexpectedly. “Do you remember NULLWRAITH?” Dreston asked suddenly.

Ray and Garry exchanged a glance. Of course they remembered. The entire world remembered now.

Dreston leaned back against the pillow thoughtfully.

“Cassienne was unbearable back then.” A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “She was

ridiculously competitive.”

Ray chuckled softly. “That part hasn’t changed.”

Dreston continued. “She was good though.” He tilted his head slightly as the memory surfaced. “She was

1/4

Chapter Orge Mandred And Ninety That Was A Slip Of Torque

+25 Bonus

one of the best players I’d ever seen.”

Then his expression changed. His voice lowered. “I wondered why she changed.”

Ray’s brows drew together slightly. “What do you mean?”

Dreston shrugged. “She lost that charm later.” He looked thoughtful. “She was brilliant when we were teenagers.”

Then he sighed quietly. “But after that… she just became…”

He paused. “Different.”

Ray and Garry looked at each other. They didn’t speak for a moment. A silent conversation passed between them.

Dreston noticed it immediately. “What?”

Garry shifted in his seat.

Nothing irritated Dreston more than people speaking around him instead of to him.

Garry finally spoke. “I think you’re wrong.”

Ray shot him a quick look. But Garry continued anyway.

“Cassienne didn’t lose her charm.” His voice carried quiet confidence. “She’s the best out there right now.”

Dreston frowned slightly.

Garry leaned forward. “Cassienne is a celebrity now.” He smiled faintly. “Just wait until you get back to work.”

His voice grew firmer. “You’ll see for yourself what a genius that woman has become.”

Ray immediately nudged Garry sharply with his elbow.

“Enough.”

But it was too late. Dreston had seen the exchange. His brows pulled together slowly.

Something wasn’t right. The room grew quiet again.

Dreston studied both of them carefully. “You two are hiding something.”

Ray sighed. “That’s not what-”

“If you guys are going to keep things away from me,” Dreston interrupted calmly, “then you should leave.”

His voice wasn’t angry. But it carried weight. “I trust you to remind me of the things I’ve forgotten.”

2/4

Chaptone Hundred And Ninety That Was A Ship On Tongue

+25 Bonus

His gaze moved from Garry to Ray. “But it seems Ray doesn’t want to.”

Ray sat back slowly. Then he spoke in the calm, measured tone of someone who understood exactly what he was doing.

“I’m a doctor, Dreston.”

Dreston said nothing.

But Ray continued. “And I know how dangerous too much information can be for someone recovering from a brain injury.”

He folded his hands together.

“It’s better for you to discover things naturally.”

His voice softened slightly.

“Rather than having people force memories onto you that you can’t relate to.”

Dreston looked at him silently, but Ray continued calmly. “Stress can damage your brain.”

He paused. “And if you push it too much…” His voice lowered slightly. “You might never remember those parts of your life again.”

The words hung heavily in the room. Ray leaned back slightly. “I want you to remember everything.”

His expression was sincere.

“Not just pieces.”

Dreston studied him for a long moment.

Then he finally nodded. “I understand.”

The tension eased slightly, and with a small smile, he said. “Thank you.”

He looked between them. “For loving me this much.”

Garry rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “Well…” He hesitated. “The woman who loves you dearly is Cassie-”

He stopped himself abruptly.

“Never mind.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify