When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 363

Chapter Three Hundred And Sixty-Two: To Walk Out Alive 

The words landed heavily. 

Donatus went still. 

Garry continued, “And even if you refuse to accept that, what does Cassienne have to do with it? What does her unborn child have to do with it? What does Tina have to do with it?” 

At the mention of Tina, Donatus’ expression shifted. 

Garry noticed. “You tried to kill her.” 

Donatus did not answer. 

“That silence is enough.” 

“She knew too much.” 

“She was scared,” Garry snapped. “She called Dreston because I told her to find help. You made her a target because she became inconvenient.” 

Donatus’ eyes darkened. “This is bigger than Tina Freshman.” 

“No,” Garry said. “It is smaller than you think.” 

That got the older man’s attention. 

Garry lowered his voice. “You keep dressing this up as revenge, legacy, justice, and family loyalty. But strip all of that away and what remains? A bitter old man who lost his brother and decided the whole world owed him a body count.” 

For a moment, Donatus looked like he might strike him. 

Garry almost wished he would. At least that would make the ugliness honest. 

Instead, Donatus turned away and walked toward the window. He pulled the curtain aside slightly and looked out over the vineyard. “You did not know your father the way I did.” 

Garry’s anger faltered. 

Donatus’ voice became softer. “Mike was brilliant.” 

“He was ambitious,” Garry said. 

“He was more than that.” 

“He was greedy.” 

Donatus turned sharply. “He had dreams” 

“So did many people. That does not give them the right to steal from others.” 

The older man looked away again. For the first time, Garry saw something in him that was not anger. 

Pain. 

It did not excuse him. But it explained some of him. 

Donatus spoke without looking back. “When Mike died, everything collapsed. His company, his reputation, everything he built. People mocked him. They said he had overreached. They said he wanted to stand beside Auralink and failed. 

Garry listened 

Donatus continued, “Then Auralink tose higher. The Tremonts became untouchable. Ethan Rhodes became both hated and pitied, depending on who told the story. But Mike? Mike disappeared from firstory like he never mattered.” 

Garry’s voice softened slightly. “So you decided to make everyone remember him? 

Donatus turned back. 

“No.” His eyes hardened again. “I decided to make them pay.” 

There it was, the truth, not justice. But payment. 

Garry shook his head slowly. “That is why you will lose.” 

Donatus laughed. “You still think your friends are coming.” 

“I know they will.” 

“You have too much faith in them.” 

“And you have too much faith in fear.” 

The older man’s smile faded. 

Garry stepped closer. “Dreston will not stop. Corren will not stop. Ray will not stop. And if Cassienne is threatened, Dreston will burn through every wall you build.” 

For the first time that morning, Donatus did not respond immediately. 

That silence told Garry something. His uncle was worried. 

Good. 

“That silence again,” Garry said. “You really should work on it.” 

Donatus walked toward the door and opened it sharply. 

The two guards outside straightened. 

“Pack him up,” Donatus ordered. 

Garry’s smile faded. 

One of the guards looked confused. “Sir?” 

Donatus’ voice became colder. “We are leaving.” 

Garry’s heart began beating faster, but he kept his face calm. 

“So they found me.” 

Donatus turned back toward him. Their eyes met, but the old man said nothing. Even without him talking, Garry already knew. 

Somewhere outside the vineyard, Dreston Tremont was getting close. 

And for the first time since his captivity began, Garry Richardson felt something stronger than anger. 

Hope. 

But hope came with danger. 

Because if Donatus was desperate enough to move him, then he was desperate enough to kill him too. 

The guards entered. 

Garry looked at his uncle one last time. “You should have stopped when you still had the chance.” 

Donatus’ expression hardened. “And you should have stayed out of matters you did not understand.” 

Garry gave a tired sinile. “No, Uncle.” His voice was calm. “I understood enough.” 

The guards moved toward him. 

Outside, the vineyard remained beautiful beneath the morning sun. But inside, the walls were closing in 

And since Garry had been held there for months. He only wished for one thing: To walk out alive.