When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 367

The drive to the hospital felt endless. Joseph sat inside the ambulance, his blood-covered hands refusing to leave Dreston's side.

The paramedics worked quickly.

One checked Dreston's pulse, while another applied pressure to the wound.

A third person relayed information to the hospital ahead.

Everything happened around Joseph like a distant noise. His focus remained on only one thing.

His son.

Dreston lay motionless on the stretcher. His face had become frighteningly pale.

Every few moments the paramedics exchanged looks that Joseph did not like.

Not one bit.

The blood loss was significant.

Far too significant.

Joseph swallowed hard. His chest felt tight. He had experienced many difficult moments throughout his life.

Business failures.

Public scandals.

Corporate attacks.

Personal betrayals.

Nothing compared to this.

Nothing. Because none of those things involved watching his child bleed.

"Sir."

One of the paramedics looked toward him. "We need some room."

Joseph immediately moved back.

But his eyes never left Dreston.

Not even for a second.

The ambulance continued speeding through Southvale. Its siren echoed across the city.

Inside the vehicle, nobody noticed Joseph quietly whispering the same words over and over. "Stay alive."

…….

At the Tremont residence.

Cassienne sat inside the living room. A book rested on her lap. She had not turned a single page.

Mrs. Rawlings noticed.

The older woman placed a cup of tea on the table. "You should eat something."

Cassienne smiled faintly. "I'm not hungry."

Mrs. Rawlings sighed. "You haven't been hungry all afternoon."

Cassienne looked toward the large window. The sky outside had begun changing colors.

Evening was approaching.

Normally she would have called Dreston by now. Or he would have already sent a message. Sometimes, something simple and something ridiculous.

Sometimes just a heart emoji. The memory made her smile. Then immediately she was worried again.

Mrs. Rawlings sat beside her. "Mr. Dreston will be fine."

Cassienne nodded. "I know."

But her voice lacked conviction.

Ever since he left, a strange feeling had settled inside her chest.

One she couldn't explain or shake away. Her hand moved instinctively to her stomach.

The baby shifted slightly.

Cassienne smiled softly. "Your father worries me too much."

The movement inside her stomach seemed to answer.

Mrs. Rawlings chuckled. Then a phone rang.

Cassienne immediately reached for hers. The smile on her face vanished when she saw the caller.

Steve.

Why wasn't Dreston calling himself? Her stomach tightened.

Without realizing it, she stood up.

Then answered. "Steve?"

For a moment there was silence. Cassienne's heart dropped. "Steve?"

His voice finally came. "Mrs. Tremont."

Immediately she knew something was wrong.

Mrs. Rawlings rose from her seat. Concern filled her face.

Cassienne's fingers tightened around the phone. "What happened?"

Another silence.

Then—

"There was an incident."

The room began spinning. Mrs. Rawlings took a step forward.

Cassienne's voice trembled. "Steve." This time it sounded like a plea. "Tell me what happened."

Steve exhaled heavily. Then finally said it. "Mr. Tremont was shot."

The phone slipped from Cassienne's fingers. It crashed against the floor. And for several seconds she simply stood there.

Frozen. Unable to breathe, think, or move.

Mrs. Rawlings immediately rushed forward. "Cassienne!"

The older woman caught her shoulders.

Cassienne's lips parted. But no sound came out. The words echoed inside her head.

Mr. Tremont was shot.

Mr. Tremont was shot.

Mr. Tremont was shot.

Nothing else existed.

Nothing.

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