When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 226

Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty–Six: I am Lucky.

Cassienne stood beside the hospital bed, holding a small porcelain bowl in one hand and a spoon in the other. She moved carefully, bringing the spoon to Dreston’s lips with gentle accuracy. He accepted each sip without protest, a soft smile resting on his face as if the simple act meant more to him than the food itself.

“Slowly,” she said quietly, watching him with concern. “You still need to take it easy.”

“I am,” Dreston replied, his voice warm. “You are the one feeding me like I cannot hold a spoon.”

Cassienne smiled faintly. “That is because you cannot. At least, not yet.”

The door had opened moments earlier, but neither of them had reacted immediately. They were too absorbed in each other, in the quiet rhythm they had rediscovered.

Now, however, they were no longer alone. Joseph, Abigail, and Emily stood just inside the room. All three of them had stopped in place. Their expressions mirrored the same disbelief.

This was not what they had expected. They had come prepared to see a man lying unconscious, surrounded by silence and machines.

Instead, they found Dreston sitting up, smiling, and being cared for by the woman who stood beside him not as an obligation, but as his equal.

Cassienne finally noticed them. She turned slightly, her eyes soft, her expression calm. “You are here?” she said gently.

Dreston followed her gaze and looked toward them. His smile widened. “What are you doing here, Emily?” he asked lightly. “Can a son not fall sick without causing this much trouble?”

Emily let out a shaky breath that turned into a soft sob. She moved forward without hesitation. “You silly boy,” she said, her voice trembling.

Cassienne stepped aside immediately, giving her space.

Emily reached him and cupped his face with both hands. Her fingers trembled as they traced his features, as if she needed to confirm that he was truly there, truly alive.

She leaned forward and kissed his forehead. “I was worried for nothing,” she whispered. “Are you fine?”

Dreston nodded gently. “I am fine,” he said. “As you can see, I am doing just great.”

A quiet laugh escaped him, and it was enough to ease the tension that had filled the room.

Abigail let out a breath she had been holding, and even Joseph’s expression softened. The heaviness lifted. All the pain and trouble disappeared.

The family gathered closer, their relief settling into something real.

Later, when Dreston had taken his medication and drifted into a light sleep, the atmosphere shifted again.

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Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty

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Emily stood near the window, her arms folded across her chest. The calm from earlier had faded, replaced by something sharper.

“Why did none of you tell me that my son was in an accident?” she asked.

Her voice was not loud, but it carried weight. The question settled in the room, unanswered.

Joseph and Abigail exchanged a glance. They both knew the truth. It was never just about the accident. It was about everything that came with it. The memory loss. The lies they had been forced to maintain. And the fragile situation that could not withstand another shock.

“We did not want to worry you, Emily,” Joseph said carefully. “Even Dreston would not have wanted that.”

Emily scoffed softly and turned her gaze toward Cassienne. “And you,” she said. Cassienne stood still.” You should have known that I am strong enough to handle any situation,” Emily continued. “What I do not tolerate is being lied to. And you know that.”

Her words were firm. And direct. They landed heavily. Cassienne felt the weight of them immediately. For a brief moment, she glanced at Dreston, who was still resting peacefully on the bed.

Then she looked back at her mother. “I am sorry,” she said quietly.

Emily held her gaze for a second longer, then turned away. “Now that everything is fine, I need to rest,” she said, picking up her handbag. “Call me when he wakes up.”

Cassienne nodded. “I will.”

Emily paused briefly at the door. “You should stay with him,” she added without turning back. “He needs you.”

Joseph and Abigail followed her toward the exit without saying a word. But Abigail stopped for a moment and looked at Cassienne carefully. There were questions in her eyes, but she chose not to ask them. “Take care of yourself,” she said gently.

“Thank you, mother,” Cassienne replied.

Then, the door closed behind them. And the room fell quiet again.

Cassienne let out a long breath and lowered herself back into the chair beside the bed. The exhaustion in her body was finally catching up with her, but there was something stronger than that.

Relief.

She looked at Dreston. At his calm expression. At the steady rise and fall of his chest. A small smile formed on her lips. “Finally,” she whispered to herself. “I can breathe.”

“Will you marry me, Cass?”

Cassienne froze.

For a moment, she thought she had imagined it. Her head lifted slowly.

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Chapter Two Minidred And Twenty Sex Hemby

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Dreston was awake. His grey eyes were fixed on her, clear and steady. How so? Had he been pretending all these while?

“Dreston?” she called softly, unsure.

He chuckled under his breath. “You did not answer my question,” he said.

Her heart tightened. She stood up immediately and stepped closer, her hands rising to his face as if she needed to feel him to believe this moment was real.

“Of course I will marry you,” she said, her voice filled with emotion. “There is no doubt in that.”

Dreston smiled. “Then I am very lucky,” he said.

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