When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 347

Chapter Three Hundred And Forty-Seven: Found A Lead

Cassienne kept her silence until the massive iron gates of the Tremont mansion swung open. For most of the drive, she had simply sat beside Dreston, her hand resting quietly in his while the blurred geometry of city lights swept past the windows. Neither of them had truly managed to leave the gala behind. The image of Jessica’s pale, frightened face lingered vividly in Cassienne’s mind, alongside the chilling words her friend had overheard.

Someone wanted to take her. Even now, the realization felt entirely surreal.

The moment the SUV came to a halt, a small contingent of security personnel moved smoothly into their defensive perimeters. Dreston and Cassienne both noticed the heightened vigilance, but neither commented. The threat was tangible now; there was no point in pretending otherwise.

They entered the mansion together, greeted immediately by the familiar warmth of home. Normally, crossing this threshold brought instant relief, but tonight it only blunted the edges of her anxiety. Mrs. Rawlings stepped into the foyer from the grand hallway, her expression brightening until she caught sight of their faces. Her smile vanished instantly.

“Is everything alright?” the housekeeper asked, her voice laced with concern.

Cassienne forced a reassuring smile. “We’re fine, Mrs. Rawlings.”

The older woman clearly didn’t believe her, but she possessed too much tact to press for details. “I’ll prepare something warm for you both.”

“Thank you,” Dreston replied with a grateful nod.

A few minutes later, they stepped into the sanctuary of their bedroom. As the heavy door clicked shut behind them, an intense silence settled over the room. Cassienne drifted toward the expansive window, staring out at the distant neighbourhood.

Dreston shed his tailored jacket and loosened his tie before turning to look at her. He recognized the exact nature of her stillness immediately. She wasn’t panicking or crying; she was simply, deeply afraid. To him, that quiet terror was far worse, because Cassienne rarely feared for her own safety.

“Dove,” he called out softly.

The endearment acted like a balm, melting some of the rigid tension in her spine. She turned around as Dreston crossed the bedroom, stopping just inches away. For a long moment, they simply looked at each other before Cassienne finally voiced the haunting question that had weighed on her all evening.

“Why me?” The words were faint, carrying a heavy undertone of pain. Her eyes searched his, desperate

for answers. “I don’t understand. What did I do?”

The devastating truth was that she had done absolutely nothing. Yet, despite her innocence, danger consistently tracked her down. The relentless rumors, the agonizing divorce, Tina’s betrayal, a hidden adversary, and now a kidnapping plot-it felt like a toxic, never-ending cycle.

Cassienne lowered her gaze to the floor. “I just wanted a normal life.”

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The quiet confession struck a painful chord in Dreston. He knew better than anyone that she had never craved power, status, or the spotlight. She wanted the simple things: a home, a family, and a peaceful future with the people she loved. That was all.

Gently, he caught her chin between his fingers, tilting her face up to meet his gaze. “You listen to me,” he said, his calm voice laced with underlying steel. “None of this is your fault. Not a single piece of it.”

When Cassienne tried to avert her eyes, his grip remained steady, refusing to let her hide. “You didn’t

create this situation.”

“No, but-”

“You didn’t,” he interrupted firmly, placing his hands on either side of her face in a protective, grounding gesture. “If someone is sick enough to target you, that is a reflection of their malice, not your character. It says everything about them and absolutely nothing about you.”

Cassienne stared up at him, letting out a defeated sigh. Arguing with Dreston when he was this resolute was impossible-especially when his logic was undeniable.

Instantly, the hard edge in his expression dissolved, replaced by a profound, unconditional warmth. “You asked why you,” he murmured, a faint, melancholic smile playing on his lips. “It’s because you are priceless, my love. People don’t wage wars over things that hold no value. They target what is most precious.”

His thumb caressed her cheek before he leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. Then to her temple, and finally her cheek, deliberately rebuilding her fractured confidence with every touch. “And you are precious,” he whispered against her skin. “To me. To our family. To everyone who loves you.”

Cassienne closed her eyes, letting the safety of his words wash over her like a warm blanket. For a long while, the world outside ceased to exist. They simply held each other in the quiet room.

Eventually, Dreston’s hand drifted and rested flat against her stomach. His features softened completely, a predictable transformation that Cassienne caught instantly.

A tiny, genuine smile broke through her. “I knew you would do that.”

Dreston looked down, his eyes twinkling. “I’m aware.”

“I think you talk to the baby more than you talk to me these days.”

“I highly dispute that claim.”

“Oh, you absolutely do.”

Dreston let out a low, rare laugh that filled Cassienne with a deep sense of comfort. Bending down slightly, he kept his palm pressed to her abdomen and dropped his voice to a theatrical whisper. “Listen closely in there.”

Cassienne rolled her eyes affectionately, though the unborn child offered no response.

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feedback. “So I need you to behave yourself and help me out”

“Dreston, please,” Cassienne laughed, the residual fear finally beginning to evaporator cha

“I’m entirely serious,” he insisted, looking up to catch the exact moment her face it up. A satisfied sm tugged at the corner of his mouth. “There she is,”

Cassienne blinked, “What?”

“That smile,” he said softly, his gaze melting. “I’ve been trying to bring it back all night

The raw honesty of his effort touched her deeply. He wasn’t acting out of duty or obligation, he loved her entirely without reservation. Stepping closer, Cassienne wrapped her arms securely around his neck, burying her face into his shoulder as he pulled her flush against his chest. Wrapped in his embrace, she finally felt genuinely safe,

“I love you,” she whispered into the crook of his neck.

The declaration was nothing new, but the weight of it never diminished. Dreston closed his eyes, kissing the crown of her head. “I know.”

Cassienne immediately delivered a sharp pinch to his side, prompting a breathless laugh that echoed through the bedroom. “I believe you were supposed to say it back,” she countered playfully,

“Was 1?”

“Most definitely,”

Amused, Dreston kissed her forehead once more, finally delivering the words she wanted. “I love you too, Dove.”

The room fell quiet again, but the atmosphere had transformed into something lighter and more secure. For a fleeting moment, they were just a husband and wife cocooned away from investigations, enemies, and looming threats.

Then, Dreston’s phone shattered the peace.

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