When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 370

For a few seconds, neither moved.

Something old passed between them. Not love exactly. At least, not anymore. But history, pain, things unfinished. Things that had never received a proper ending.

Aurora’s throat tightened, and Corren noticed immediately. He followed her gaze and saw Garry. Then he looked back at Aurora.

He didn't pull her away, or ask questions. He didn't become jealous. He simply reached for her hand and held it.

Aurora looked at him, the gesture nearly broke her, because Corren understood without forcing her to explain.

Before anyone could speak, hurried footsteps came from the elevator hallway.

A woman entered the waiting area. A beautiful blonde and she was looking breathless. Her coat was thrown over a simple dress, and her face was wet with tears. She looked around wildly until her eyes landed on Garry.

Then she ran. “Garry!”

Garry stood so fast that he nearly stumbled.

The woman reached him and threw her arms around him, and he caught her immediately, holding her tightly, as if she was the only thing keeping him from falling apart.

“Ariana,” he whispered.

The name passed through the waiting room like a quiet question.

Ariana pulled back just enough to touch his face, crying as she checked his bruises, his bandaged nose, the cuts near his mouth. “What did they do to you?” she sobbed.

Garry closed his eyes and pressed his forehead against hers. “I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not.”

“I’m alive.”

That only made her cry harder. Then she kissed him.

The kiss was full of fear, relief, anger, and love.

Aurora watched, and understood. Just like that, there were no explanations needed anymore. Whoever Ariana was, she mattered to him.

Something inside Aurora loosened painfully. Not because she wanted Garry back, but because the question that had remained somewhere in her heart finally received an answer.

He had moved on. Maybe before she did, or maybe in a way she never knew. And strangely, it did not destroy her. But It only hurt.

Corren’s hand tightened gently around hers.

Aurora looked at him, but he didn't say anything, his eyes told her enough.

I’m here.

That was all she needed.

So she leaned slightly into him.

Corren moved closer and placed his other hand lightly at the small of her back. And for the first time since seeing Garry, she felt steady again.

Across the room, Ariana remained in Garry’s arms.

Jessica watched the scene with wide eyes. Daisy did too. Even Nora seemed curious. Nobody asked questions yet. It was not the time for it, because there were already too many wounds open in that hospital.

Ariana finally pulled back from Garry and whispered, “I thought you were dead.”

Garry swallowed hard. “I thought I might be too.”

Her hand moved briefly to her stomach. It was subtle, almost unnoticeable. But Aurora saw it. So did Corren. Garry saw it too, and his face changed instantly.

He covered her hand with his own. “I’m here now,” he said softly.

Ariana nodded, but she was still crying.

Cassienne shook her head, crying harder. “He promised he would come back.”

“He will.”

“You don’t know that.”

Abigail’s own tears fell now. “No,” she whispered. “But I believe it.”

Cassienne clung to her. And outside that room, the family continued waiting for a miracle.

…….

Far away from the hospital in Southvale , Joseph arrived in Lisbourn and his car pulled into the Simpson residence again. This time, he did not feel like a man carrying evidence. But he felt like a father carrying fear.

Justice Elena was waiting for him in her home office, and the moment he entered, she stood.

Her face told him everything.

This was serious.

Very serious.

Joseph closed the door behind him. “Elena,” he said quietly. “Tell me what you found.”

Elena pushed a file toward him. Her voice was calm, but her eyes were sharp. “The man working with Donatus is not just a hired partner.”

Joseph opened the file, and his face darkened as he looked at the photograph inside.

Elena continued. “He is connected to the Virelli family.”

Joseph slowly lifted his gaze. For a moment, neither spoke. Then Elena said the words that changed everything. “And Joseph, if this is true, Donatus Richardson was never acting alone.”

Joseph stared at the file in his hand. The final piece of the conspiracy had entered the light. But the nightmare was not over.