When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 65

Chapter Sixty–Five: No Personal Closeness.

The fire in Cassienne’s eyes frightened Dreston to his bones.

He had never seen her look at him like that–not during their marriage, not during their arguments, or even on the day they signed the divorce papers. She wasn’t just hurting.

This was anger sharpened by self–respect.

Instinctively, he stepped back. His hands lifted in the air, palms open, a silent sign of surrender. His heart pounded as regret crashed into him all of a sudden.

“I’m sorry,” he said quickly, his voice tight. “I was carried away. I shouldn’t have done that. I promise it won’t happen again.”

Cassienne didn’t answer.

She stood there, rigid and silent, her hands clenched so tightly into fists that her knuckles turned pale. Every part of her posture screamed restraint–like someone holding back a storm. 1

Under different circumstances, that kiss would have meant everything to her. 1

Once upon a time, she would have seen it as a miracle. Proof that she had not been forgotten. Proof that she still mattered to him.

But that version of Cassienne no longer existed.

She had grown past that woman—the one who waited, hoped, and endured. She was no longer driven by the need to be wanted or touched. She had made a decision long ago, quietly and firmly, to live for herself.

No man would ever again have the power to toy with her emotions.

“I mean it,” Dreston said again, desperation slipping into his tone. “It won’t happen again.”

Slowly, deliberately, Cassienne sat down.

She adjusted her posture, crossing her legs neatly, forcing her breathing to steady. Her eyes closed briefly as she fought the lingering sensation–the warmth, the familiarity, the dangerous pull she refused to acknowledge.

If she was going to succeed here—if she was going to function as Auralink’s Chief Technology Officer—she needed distance. Emotional distance and clear boundaries.

When she finally opened her eyes, Dreston was still standing, watching her as if she were a puzzle he had never managed to solve.

“Dreston,” she said calmly, her voice controlled but firm. “If you want me to work effectively here, and if you want us to work together peacefully, then you need to treat me as nothing more than a professional.”

She held his gaze.

“No personal closeness. No emotional confusion. Only work.”

Dreston swallowed.

Then he nodded and returned to his seat, his brows drawn together as he tried to process her words.

The truth was complicated.

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Contec Sisty From No Perch Closeness

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He wanted Cassienne here because she was the best–brilliant, focused, unmatched. But that wasn’t the whole truth. He wanted her close for reasons he hadn’t yet named, feelings he didn’t fully understand, desires he hadn’t admitted even to himself.

And that was exactly the problem.

For now, he chose the one thing he could not afford to lose.

Her.

“For what it’s worth,” he said quietly, “I’m truly sorry. I promise I won’t touch you again without your permission.”

Cassienne raised a brow slightly.

She said nothing.

She wasn’t naïve enough to believe his sudden restraint meant regret or love. And even if, someday, it did–she would never walk that road again. 2

She had learned her lesson.

This time, she chose herself.

Tina paced back and forth inside her office, looking so restless.

Her heels struck the floor in sharp, angry sounds, each step fueled by humiliation and rage. Her anger was not directed at Cassienne alone. No–most of it was for Dreston.

How could he do this to her?

How could he embarrass her so openly?

For years, Auralink had treated Tina Ackley with respect. She had built her image carefully–polished, admired, and untouchable. And now, in a single move, Dreston had shattered that image by bringing his ex–wife back into the company and placing her above Tina in rank.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, people still called Cassienne Mrs. Tremont,

The staff said it casually and respectfully, as though that title still belonged to her. Each time Tina heard it, it felt like a slap to her face. It was insulting. Degrading. A reminder that no matter how hard she tried, Cassienne still held a place she couldn’t erase.

Her assistant stood stiffly near the desk, watching her boss spiral.

Tina suddenly stopped pacing and turned sharply.

“Becky,” she snapped. “Are you sure that woman is still in his office?”

Becky’s brows pulled together in quiet frustration. That was the tenth time Tina had asked the same question. Her patience was thinning, but she kept her tone respectful.

“Ma’am… It’s been about ten minutes since the last time I checked. Would you like me to go back and confirm with Janet again?”

“And what are you waiting for?” Tina barked.

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hapter Saly Five No Personal Closeness

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Becky didn’t wait for another word. She spun on her heel and hurried out of the office.

Left alone, Tina let out a sharp breath. Her chest rose and fell as she turned toward the private restroom connected to her office.

She pushed the door open and stood in front of the vanity mirror.

Her reflection stared back at her–beautiful, flawless, yet shaken.

Her long, silky blonde hair was slightly disheveled, no longer perfect. She reached for her brush and ran it through the strands again and again until they fell neatly down her back. She reapplied her highlighter, adding more glow to her cheekbones, then refreshed her lipstick with carefulness.

She studied herself closely.

There was no denying it–she was stunning.

Tina possessed the kind of beauty that demanded attention. The kind that pulled people in effortlessly. Men noticed her without trying. That had always been her strength.

And yet–Cassienne was different.

Cassienne didn’t need to try.

She didn’t need loud beauty or careful polishing. She carried a quiet confidence now, one that turned heads without effort. That was what made Tina hate her even more.

She preferred the old Cassienne–the clumsy woman who hid behind plain clothes, who never competed, who stayed in the background. This new Cassienne–confident, admired and respected–felt like a personal threat. (1

Straightening her shoulders, Tina walked back into her office.

Instead of waiting for Becky to return, she made a decision. She would see for herself.

As she marched toward Dreston’s office, Janet appeared halfway down the hall and greeted her politely.

“Good afternoon, Miss Ack-”

Tina walked straight past her without a glance.

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