When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 273

Chapter Two Hundred And Seventy–Three: A Woman Who Will Stand.

+25 Bonus

Daisy got home late that night. The events of the evening followed her. They stayed with her in her thoughts, in the message on her phone, and in the part of her that refused to settle. The silence at Ray’s place had not left her. It lingered as she stepped into her apartment and let go of everything she had been holding.

Her purse landed carelessly on the couch. Her heels followed, kicked off without a second thought. She walked straight into the kitchen.

Daisy opened the refrigerator and reached for a can of beer. The cold metal felt steady in her hand. She popped it open and took a long sip before leaning back against the marble counter. For a moment, she said nothing. Then she picked up her phone and dialed.

The call connected after two rings.

“Princess.” The voice on the other end was older, calm, and familiar.

“Mother,” Daisy breathed.

“Daisy,” her mother replied. Her tone was soft but carried something underneath it. “How are you?”

“I am doing great,” Daisy said automatically. “How are you?”

There was a brief pause. “Not good,” her mother said.

Daisy straightened slightly.

“Can you come home?” the older woman continued. “We need to talk.”

Silence followed immediately. Daisy’s brows drew together. “What happened?” she asked. “You do not sound like yourself.”

“I will be fine when you come home,” her mother replied. “Besides, have you seen your brother? He should be with you by now.”

Daisy blinked. “What?” she asked. “My brother is here?”

Before she could say anything else, the doorbell rang. The sound cut through the quiet of the apartment. Daisy tilted her head slightly and glanced toward the door.

“I will call you back, Mother,” she said quickly. “Someone is at the door.” Then she ended the call.

For a moment, she stood still. It was late, too late for casual visits. Her fingers tightened slightly around the can as she checked the time. Then she set it down and walked toward the door. She did not rush to open the door, but something in her steps had changed.

And when she opened it, she froze. Her entire expression broke open. “Lucien!”

Standing at the doorway was Lucien Noah–Tall–Composed. Effortlessly commanding in the way that came from years of control and discipline. His features were sharp. His presence is unmistakable. Even

1/3

Chapter Two Hundred And Sexmonly the A Win Why S

+25 Bonus

dressed simply, he carried the quiet authority of someone who mattered.

But at that moment, he was just her brother. Daisy did not hesitate. She threw herself at him.

Lucien caught her easily. His arms wrapped around her without effort as she held onto him tightly.

“You did not tell me you were coming,” she said, her voice coming out softly and filled with something

rare.

“I did not think I needed to,” he replied calmly.

She laughed against him, still holding on. “I missed you,” she admitted.

Lucien’s hand moved to the back of her head briefly. It was a quiet gesture that spoke more than his words ever would. “I know,” he said.

For a moment, they stayed like that, unmoving, and comfortable. Then footsteps approached from

behind.

At the entrance of the hallway, Ray Simpson stopped.

He had come with the shopping bags Daisy had left behind at his place. It was a simple gesture, nothing complicated. No big deal. But now, he didn’t know what else to think.

He did not move, and he did not speak. He just stood there–watching.

Daisy in another man’s arms.

His grip tightened slightly around the bags in his hands. The image settled in his chest with a weight he had not prepared for. The man was tall, looking confident, and at ease in Daisy’s space.

Ray’s jaw tightened. He knew what Daisy had told him. He knew where they stood, or where she said they stood. But knowing it and seeing this were not the same.

Just moments ago, she had been with him in a very intimate way. And now….

Ray swallowed slowly. The feeling that rose in him was sharp. It was unwelcome, yet jealousy was instant. And anger also accompanied it.

Despite everything, he chose not to interrupt because something inside him had stopped.

Daisy still had not noticed him. She pulled back slightly from Lucien. Her hands still rested on his shoulders as she smiled at him. “Come inside,” she said.

Lucien stepped inside with her, carrying his luggage without effort. The door closed behind them.

And just like that, Ray was alone again. He stood there for a long moment, still processing everything he saw. His mind tried to make sense of it, to place it somewhere logical. It did not settle because logic had nothing to do with how he felt.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify