When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 35

Chapter Thirty-Five: Her Rejection.

That strange feeling crept over Cassienne’s skin again.

It was the kind of feeling you get when someone is watching you closely. The kind that makes the air feel heavy, as if it presses against your body. It caused tiny shivers to rise along her arms, even though the room was warm.

Cassienne did not lift her eyes.

She focused on the seafood in front of her, cutting it slowly, carefully, as if nothing else existed. But she knew. She could feel it clearly.

Dreston was watching her.

His eyes had been on her for a long time now.

Why?

What exactly did he want from her?

The thought made her chest tighten. She hated this feeling. It felt too familiar, too dangerous. It felt like the beginning of old wounds reopening. She hated the idea that maybe-just maybe-he had finally realized his mistake. Probably he now wanted her back.

That thought angered her.

It had better not be that.

Everything between them was over. Completely over. Nothing could bring them back together again. No apologies. No regret, or memories could fix anything now.

She lifted her glass and drank more water than she needed, trying to wash down the emotions building inside her. When she finally set her cutlery down, she raised her eyes.

Her gaze locked with Dreston’s.

He seemed lost in thought, his eyes dark and distant, as if he was looking at her but seeing something else entirely. When he noticed that she had stopped eating, he also set his cutlery aside and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

“Can we talk now?” Cassienne asked.

Her voice was calm, but inside, her heart was pounding.

Dreston nodded slowly. “Of course. We can.”

His voice was gentle. It almost sounded like a whisper, and it made her uncomfortable.

“I found out,” he said after a short pause, “that you are the creator of VELUX. And that Tina was the one who stole it from you. Not the other way around.”

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Cassienne rolled her eyes.

Of course he had found out. She had known he would. It was only a matter of time. But by the time he discovered the truth, it was already too late.

She had already made her decision.

“Yes,” she replied flatly. “You found out.”

She knew how easy it would be to prove that VELUX belonged to her. She had always known. But what was the point now? The product no longer mattered to her. As far as she was concerned, VELUX belonged to Auralink Systems now. She had handed it over willingly. She has nothing to do with it

anymore.

“For that, I am sorry, Cassienne,” Dreston said quietly. “I should have believed you when you told me it

was yours.”

“But you didn’t,” she muttered.

Her words were soft, but they carried years of pain.

Dreston swallowed. “I know. And I regret it deeply. I am truly sorry. Please forgive the hurtful things I said to you.” He paused, then added, “You are the most intelligent woman I have ever met. Someone ordinary could never have created something like VELUX.”

Cassienne listened without reacting.

She was not moved.

She had expected this apology. She had always known that the day he realized his mistake, he would come back with regret in his eyes and apologies on his lips. This moment was not surprising to her.

“It’s fine,” she said calmly. “Apology accepted. Can I go now?”

Dreston stiffened.

“No,” he said.

Cassienne raised an eyebrow. “No?”

“What else is there to discuss?” she asked. “VELUX is yours now, Dreston. I meant every word I said. That product was meant to pay for everything your family did to me. I will not take it back.”

Dreston opened his mouth, then closed it again. He knew she was still hurting. He could see it clearly now. But even so, he still had to say what he came here to say.

“I am sorry again,” he said slowly. “But I also have an offer for you.”

“An offer?” Cassienne repeated, surprised. “What kind of offer?”

“Come back to Auralink,” Dreston said. “Work for me again.”

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Cassienne inhaled sharply, about to speak, but he continued.

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