When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 301

Chapter Three Hundred And–One: Tina Survived

Not Auralink. Not Cassienne. Not revenge. But the lab. Dreston stepped away from the bed slowly afterward, the sterile scent of antiseptics and blood lingering heavily in the air. He pulled his phone from his pocket with deliberate movements.

There was only one person he trusted enough for what came next- one person whose loyalty and resources could match the escalating danger they now faced.

The call connected after the second ring. “Dreston?”

The familiar, steady voice of Ray Simpson came through calmly from Lisbourn, carrying the quiet authority Dreston had come to rely on over the years.

Dreston leaned lightly against the cool wall outside the ICU room, exhaustion weighing heavily on his broad shoulders like an invisible burden he refused to set down. “Tina survived.”

A brief, weighted silence followed on the other end. Then Ray asked quietly, his tone sharpening with concern, “How bad?”

“She’s in a coma.”

Ray exhaled slowly, the sound heavy with grim understanding and the weight of unspoken implications.

Dreston rubbed his palm across his face tiredly, the stubble on his jaw rough against his hand, before continuing in a low voice.” She tried warning us before the accident happened. Said someone was after her too.”

Ray immediately understood the implication, his tone turning sharp and focused. “This wasn’t random.”

“No.”

The hallway around Dreston remained deathly silent except for the distant, rhythmic sounds of medical equipment and the faint echo of quiet footsteps somewhere further down the corridor.

“I don’t think Southvale is safe enough anymore,” Dreston admitted finally, the words tasting bitter on his tongue. And saying them aloud genuinely unsettled him. Because Southvale was his territory. His city. His domain of control and influence.

Yet somehow, someone was operating freely inside it, striking without fear or hesitation, right in the heart of his world.

Ray remained quiet briefly, processing the gravity of the situation, before speaking again with calm, unshakable authority Transfer her to Simpson Medical.”

Dreston lifted his eyes slowly, considering the suggestion.

“It’s the safest option right now,” Ray continued, his voice steady and decisive. “Maximum security protocols Private imelis at wing. Extremely limited access. My team can handle the transport discreetly and under tull protection”

And most importantly–outside Southvale, away from the immediate reach of whoever was orchestrating these attacks

Dreston already knew that was the right move. “I’ll prepare everything immediately,” Ray added without waiting for Ruchthei confirmation.

For the first time, since the accident happened, some of the crushing tension eased slightly from Preston’s shoulders. In ribet was small, but it was there. “Thank you.”

“You don’t need to thank me yet,” Ray replied quietly, the seriousness in his tone unmistakable “Just get let heie dis

The call ended shortly afterward, leaving Dreston standing in the quiet hallway with only the tami bu eping of usa fines deittiris through the closed ICU door

He remained there for another long moment, deep in thought, his mind turning over every piece of the paz de precision.

with ruthless

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Because now this was no longer about scandals, fake engagements, or public narratives designed to manipulate perception.

This was war.

And he still had no idea who he was truly fighting–an enemy that remained hidden, striking with calculated brutality.

His phone lit up suddenly, the screen glowing softly in the dim corridor.

Cassienne.

The hardness in his face softened instantly, a wave of warmth breaking through the cold, dangerous mask he had worn all night

like armor.

Without hesitation, he answered the call.

Meanwhile, at the Tremont mansion, the atmosphere remained much quieter and far more intimate, a stark contrast to the sterile chaos of the hospital.

Soft, warm lights illuminated the large living room while gentle rain tapped rhythmically against the expansive glass windows, creating a soothing, almost hypnotic backdrop that did little to ease the tension hanging in the air.

Jessica sat cross–legged on the large sectional couch with a warm blanket wrapped around her shoulders, remote in hand, while random television programs played quietly in the background. She had been trying for over an hour to distract Cassienne Rhodes with light conversation, silly commentary, and mindless entertainment. Unfortunately, Cassienne barely paid attention to any of it, her mind trapped elsewhere.

She sat near the tall window with a warm cup of herbal tea clasped between her hands, her thoughts clearly far away, lost in the horrifying images she had witnessed earlier that day–the impact, the blood, Tina’s broken body on the pavement.

Jessica finally muted the television with a decisive click of the remote. “That’s it,” she announced, turning fully toward Cassienne. “I officially give up competing with your overthinking.”

Cassienne looked toward her weakly, offering a small, apologetic smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m trying not to.

“I know.”

Jessica’s expression softened immediately afterward, filled with genuine concern and deep affection for the woman who had become more like a sister than a friend.

For a few seconds, neither woman spoke. The quietness between them felt strangely comforting, a safe space amid the emotional storm raging outside these walls.

Then finally, Cassienne whispered softly, her voice barely above the sound of the rain, “I keep seeing it.

Jessica already knew exactly what she meant.

“The accident?” she asked gently, shifting closer on the couch.

Cassienne nodded slowly, her gaze distant and haunted. “She looked terrified, Jess.” Her tingers tightened slightly around the warm cup until her knuckles paled. “And then that car… the sound it made when it hit her.”

Her voice faded quietly, trailing off into painful memory as the scene replayed behind her eyes once more.

Jessica watched her carefully for a moment before standing up and moving closer. She sat beside Cassienne afterward, offering silent solidarity through simple proximity and presence.

“You know none of this is your fault, right?”

Cassienne gave a faint smile that never reached her eyes. “I know.”

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But emotionally, it still affected her deeply, guilt and shock twisting together in her chest.

Jessica glanced down briefly toward Cassienne’s rounded stomach before looking back at her face with quiet intensity. “You need to stop carrying everybody’s pain alone, Cass. Especially now.”

Cassienne leaned back against the couch quietly, her shoulders heavy with the weight of everything she refused to release. “I’m scared.”

The confession came softly. Honestly. And somehow, that made the room feel even quieter, the rain outside suddenly louder in

the stillness.

Because Cassienne rarely admitted fear aloud anymore–she had grown so strong, so resilient.

Jessica reached for her hand gently, squeezing it with warm reassurance. “Good.”

Cassienne frowned slightly, confused. “That’s a strange response.”

Jessica smiled faintly, warm and knowing. “Fear means you still have something worth protecting. It means you’re still fighting for the people you love.”

Cassienne lowered her eyes unconsciously toward her abdomen. And immediately, her chest tightened with overwhelming

emotion.

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