When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 386

Cassienne sat quietly on the couch with a plate of food resting untouched on the small table before her.

The private hospital suite was full, but the presence of so many people did not make her feel less alone.

Mrs. Rawlings prepared the meal herself. She brought it from home in a covered container, refusing to trust the hospital kitchen with Cassienne’s food. The soup was still warm, and the bread beside it was freshly baked.

Cassienne took only two spoonfuls.

After that, she pushed the plate away.

Mrs. Rawlings stood near the table with worry written all over her face. “Mrs. Tremont, you have barely eaten anything.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“You said the same thing this morning.”

Cassienne looked down at her hands. “I tried.”

“Two spoons are not enough.”

Abigail sat beside Cassienne and gently touched her arm. She had been trying to hide her own fear since Dreston was brought out of surgery, but the tiredness in her eyes showed that she was not doing well either.

“Cassienne, please,” she said softly. “You have to eat something.”

Cassienne shook her head. “I can’t.”

Across the suite, Daisy looked at Ray as if she expected him to do something.

Ray had just returned after checking on Dreston. He was tired, but he remained close to the family from the moment he arrived in Southvale. He had already spoken with Dreston’s doctors and reviewed his latest results.

There were signs of improvement.

But Dreston was still unconscious.

Ray walked closer and picked up the plate.

“You need to eat, Cassienne.”

She looked at him. “I said I’m not hungry.”

“And I’m telling you as a doctor that hunger is no longer the only thing that matters.”

His tone was gentle, but firm.

“You are close to your delivery date. Your body is already under pressure, and the baby depends on you.”

Cassienne placed one hand over her large stomach.

“I know.”

“Then eat.”

“I can’t force it down.”

“Take a little at a time.”

Ray returned the plate to the table.

“No one expects you to finish everything at once. But you cannot continue this way.”

Daisy moved closer and crouched in front of Cassienne. “Please listen to him.”

Cassienne looked away.

Daisy reached for her hand. “I know you are worried about Dreston. We all are. But you cannot punish yourself.”

“I’m not punishing myself.”

“It feels like you are doing so right now.”

“I just don’t have an appetite.”

Jessica, who also had been sitting near the window, rose from her chair, tried to talk to her. “Then we will sit here until you find one.”

Cassienne looked at her.

Jessica folded her arms. “I’m serious. Nobody is leaving.”

Despite the pain inside her, Cassienne almost smiled. The suite truly was full.

Aurora sat beside Corren on the other couch. Corren’s troubled mind was enough for him to move around more freely, despite the fact that his injury has healed. Although Aurora still watched him every time he shifted position. She had become more protective of him after their engagement.

Mrs. Rawlings stood beside the food like a guard.

Abigail remained close to Cassienne.

Daisy was still holding her hand.

Ray looked ready to use his position as a doctor against her.

And Jessica? She had already announced that she would not leave. They all came because they cared.

Cassienne knew that. But none of them could give her the only thing she wanted. She looked toward the door that led into the hallway.

Dreston was only a short distance away, separated from her by hospital walls, medical equipment, and a silence that had lasted far too long.

Her eyes filled with tears again. “I just want him back.”

The room became quiet.

Cassienne pressed her lips together, but the tears still slipped down her cheeks. “I don’t want anyone to tell me to be strong again.”

Abigail’s face tightened.

Cassienne shook her head slowly. “I don’t want to hear that he is improving. I don’t want to hear that his results are encouraging. I don’t want to hear that we need to wait.”

Her voice began to tremble. "I have been waiting.”

Mrs. Rawlings lowered her eyes. Cassienne looked around at all of them.

“After everything we have been through, how are we still here?”

No one answered.

“How much more are we supposed to take?”

Her hand moved over her stomach again.

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