When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 397

Nora arrived at the upscale restaurant a few minutes later than the time Kael had given her, dressed in an elegant white dress that fell smoothly around her body and made her look calm, confident, and completely in control.

It had been almost a month since they last spoke properly, and now that Kael was in Southvale, she had expected him to come directly to the house, especially after she told him that her family wanted to meet the man she had been spending so much time with.

Instead, he had called and asked her to meet him privately.

That alone had made her suspicious.

Nora was not the kind of woman who allowed herself to become too excited about anything, even when she cared deeply. She often appeared tough, distant, and almost heartless, especially when compared to her twin sister, Jessica, who was naturally friendly and easy to approach.

Jessica smiled often, made friends easily, and seemed to understand how to make people feel comfortable around her.

Nora was different.

She liked Kael more than she had ever admitted to him.

Their friendship had grown slowly, and because he always treated her with respect, listened to her, and made time for her whenever he could, Nora had started believing there might be something deeper between them.

Kael had never told her that he loved her.

He had never asked her to become his girlfriend or promised her a future, but she believed he cared for her in a way that went beyond friendship.

Perhaps that was why she had asked him to meet her family.

Still, she was not a child, and the moment he requested a private meeting instead of coming to the house, she sensed that something was wrong.

All she needed was to hear the truth from him.

A hostess greeted Nora at the entrance and led her toward a private corner at the far end of the restaurant, where Kael was already seated.

Nora understood immediately why he had chosen that spot.

Kael had always valued privacy, especially when he needed to discuss something important.

As she approached the table, the hostess stepped away and returned to her station.

“I’m sorry I kept you waiting,” Nora said.

Kael stood immediately and moved away from the table to meet her.

“No, it’s fine.”

He leaned forward and kissed her cheek politely, but the gesture carried no warmth beyond simple respect, and Nora noticed that too.

“Please, sit.”

He pulled out the chair for her before returning to his own seat.

Nora placed her handbag beside her and sat down, allowing herself a quiet breath as Kael called a waiter.

They ordered their meals, and once the waiter left, Nora looked across the table at him.

Kael was wearing dark glasses, which made it difficult for her to read his eyes, but his expression was calm.

Nora decided there was no reason to pretend that this was an ordinary meeting.

“I was wondering why you suddenly called and asked me to meet you here,” she began. “I expected you to come directly to the house.”

Kael gave her a small smile before removing his glasses and placing them on the table.

“Yes, about that.”

He leaned back against his chair and folded his hands together, clearly trying to find the best way to begin.

Nora watched him for a few seconds.

Then she asked the question before he could continue. “Is there someone else?”

Kael’s expression changed immediately.

He stared at her, clearly surprised by how direct she had been.

For a moment, he wondered whether someone had already told her something, but the calmness in her face gave him no answer.

He had not planned to begin the conversation that way.

He wanted to explain everything slowly, without making her feel like their friendship had never mattered to him, but since Nora already brought the subject forward, there was no reason to delay the truth.

Kael released a slow breath. “Well,” he began, “there was someone before I met you.”

Nora remained completely still.

“I fell for her the first time we met, even though we met in a very awkward way, and from that moment, I never truly forgot her.”

Nora’s expression did not change, but something tightened inside her chest.

Kael continued carefully. “She has always been the woman for me, even when I didn’t know whether I would ever find her again.”

He paused, watching Nora’s face.

“When I met you, I enjoyed your company. We became good friends, and I truly appreciate the friendship we have.”

“But?” Nora asked quietly.

Kael lowered his eyes briefly.

“But when you said you wanted me to meet your family, I realized you might have misunderstood what our relationship meant to me.”

Nora’s fingers tightened slightly beneath the table.

Kael looked at her again.

“I should have spoken sooner, and I am sorry that I allowed things to remain unclear.”

Nora did not respond.

Her face remained neutral, giving nothing away, but inside, she was trying to understand how she had been so wrong.

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