When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 321

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Chapter Three Hundred Twenty-one: Marry Me

Aurora Stephen stared at the tablet in silence. The headline remained boldly displayed across the screen like a public accusation waiting to spread even further.

“IS AURORA STEPHEN THE WOMAN STANDING BETWEEN CORREN THORNWYCK AND CASSIENNE RHODES?”

For a few seconds, nobody inside the private consultation lounge spoke.

The assistant standing near the doorway looked visibly uncomfortable, unsure whether she should remain there or disappear before the situation worsened.

Across from Aurora, Corren Thornwyck leaned back slowly against the couch, his eyes fixed calmly on her as she read the article.

Unlike Aurora, he did not look surprised.

And somehow, that made Aurora look at him immediately. “Don’t tell me that you already understand something,” she said quietly.

Corren lifted his eyes toward her. Aurora knew that look already. That thoughtful stillness that appeared whenever his mind was putting things together faster than everyone else around him.

Finally, Corren exhaled softly and stood up. “This isn’t about you.”

Aurora frowned faintly. “What?”

He walked toward her slowly before taking the tablet gently from her hands. His eyes scanned the article again briefly before he placed it face down on the table nearby.

Then he looked directly at her. “This rumor isn’t targeting you,” he repeated calmly. “And honestly, it’s not even targeting me either.”

Aurora folded her arms slowly. “Then who?”

Corren’s expression hardened slightly. “Cassienne.”

The answer settled heavily inside the room. Aurora stared at him for a second before lowering her eyes briefly.

And suddenly, she understood it too.

Cassienne again.

Everything somehow kept circling back to Cassienne. First the fake engagement scandal. Another is Tina. Then the attack. Followed by the rumors involving Dreston.

And now this.

Someone somewhere was constantly trying to pull her friend into public chaos.

Aurora let out a quiet breath and sat down slowly. “People are cruel.”

“They’re worse when they’re entertained.”

Aurora rubbed lightly against her forehead. “Cassienne is already carrying enough stress right now.”

“I know.”

The softness in Corren’s voice when he said it made Aurora look up again. He cared so much for Cassienne. And

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Chapter Three Hundred Twenty-one Marry Me

strangely enough, that moved her more.

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Because he could have complicated things after everything that happened publicly between him, Cassienne, and

Dreston.

But he never did. Not for once. Even after taking a knife for Cassienne. Even after standing beside her through difficult moments. And after being misunderstood by the entire internet.

Corren still respected boundaries. He still respected Dreston, and Cassienne’s marriage.

Aurora suddenly realized how rare that was. Most men destroyed women when their feelings were/not returned properly. But Corren Thornwyck protected them instead.

Her chest tightened unexpectedly.

Corren leaned one hand against the edge of the table before speaking again. “If this keeps spreading, they’ll drag Cassienne through another round of nonsense again.”

Aurora nodded faintly.

“And honestly,” Corren added quietly, “I’m tired of other people creating stories for us.”

The words made Aurora lift her head slowly. Something in his tone had changed. Even the atmosphere inside the room shifted subtly too.

Corren looked at her for several seconds before finally speaking again. “This might sound reckless.”

Aurora’s heartbeat moved strangely inside her chest.

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