When Love Finds Its Way Back (Cassienne and Dreston) novel Chapter 78

Chapter Seventy–Eight: I Didn’t Miss You one bit.

“Dreston,” Cassienne began softly. “Why are you telling me all this?”

Her voice was soft, almost soothing, but the weight behind her words unsettled him. She wasn’t accusing him. She was genuinely asking–and that made it harder for him.

She was right. Why was he telling her all this?

He shouldn’t be reopening old wounds or stirring feelings he had no right to touch anymore. Yet, no matter how much he tried to reason with himself, one truth will always stand: he owed her honesty. At least this much.

“I just felt you should know,” he said quietly, pushing forward despite the tension that tightened his chest. “You mentioned it the other day. But before I could explain, you hung up.” He paused briefly, then continued, “My father will never approve of my marriage to Tina.”

Cassienne listened without interrupting him.

Somehow, she knew the truth. But a part of her liked hearing the lies. Well it’s what she thought. But another part of her hated it dearly. Because the problem wasn’t that he didn’t want Tina. That was not it. He actually did.

The problem was simply that his parents wouldn’t approve of her, and that realization caused her heart to ache in a way she never imagined.

She felt an urge rise within her. It was to tell him to leave. To walk away and not look back. But she stopped herself. What was the point of anger now? She had already decided to move on. At least, that fact she already knew.

But the real problem wasn’t her, was it? No. The problem was him.

Dreston had a way of complicating everything. One moment, he showed her affection that softened her defenses and confused her heart. Another moment, he spoke about Tina as if she was the center of his world. It was exhausting and emotionally draining.

“I’m not even sure if I want her anymore,” he said suddenly.

That part got into her and she was suddenly interested.

Cassienne looked at him with interest. Did he even understand what he had just said? Did he understand himself?

Even Dreston seemed startled by his own words. His expression shifted, he looked confused and Cassienne noticed it immediately.

If he’s confused about his own feelings, she thought bitterly, what was she supposed to do with that?

That was when she knew she had to act–before she let him pull her back in.

“I think you should go home and rest,” she said, breaking the fragile tension between them. “Daisy and Aurora will be here very soon. You don’t need to stay.”

She gently pulled her hand from his grip.

Dreston’s eyes followed the movement, he watched intently on the space she had reclaimed. He felt it how fast she rebuilt the boundaries she had set.

For reasons he still couldn’t explain, he was being drawn to her more each day. And that frightened him.

Lately, whenever he was with Tina, she felt like a stranger to him. And conversations with her felt forced. Yet sitting here with Cassienne–talking to her, being near her–felt natural, and somehow familiar.

1/3

Saunty fight Dan Miss You One bt

+30 Bonus

And he wondered why? That was the most alarming part.

The two women were nothing alike. They shared no resemblance, no similarities. So why did his heart feel torn between confusion and clarity at the same time?

Merrick’s voice echoed in his mind.

‘Cassienne loves you. But she’s still hurting. It will take time before she can accept you back.‘

That alone was enough.

Dreston abandoned whatever plans he had been forming. This wasn’t the time. Her reaction had already shown him how deep her bitterness still ran.

“If that’s what you want,” he said quietly, “then I’ll leave and come back later.”

“There will be no need for that,” Cassienne replied immediately. “Let’s meet in the office on Monday. I’ll manage.”

“You’re not strong enough to work yet,” Dreston said, his voice rising slightly.

Cassienne flinched.

“It’s fine,” she replied obediently. “I’ll only come in if I feel better.”

He studied her for a moment, then stood, and leaned down, he pressed a gentle kiss to her head.

“Okay,” he said softly. “I’ll see you later.”

He turned and left without looking back. The door closed behind him with a quiet click.

Cassienne kept staring at the door long after he was gone.

Her heart ached.

She had pushed him away–and it hurt more than she wanted to admit. Now, she was alone again. But how could she let him stay when all her feelings for him were resurfacing? How could she willingly walk back into that pain? This closeness between them was becoming too dangerous for her own good.

Did I make the right decision by going back to Auralink? she wondered.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

Before she could even respond, the door opened, and two tall, familiar figures stepped inside.

Merrick and Corren.

Cassienne didn’t know what to feel. She hadn’t forgiven either of them–especially Corren. She had been starting to like him once, and he had ruined it.

Corren approached her bedside first. He didn’t speak. His eyes said enough.

“I’m not dead, Corren,” she rolled her eyes. “Stop the drama.”

She laughed and immediately regretted it as pain shot through her ribs. She quickly hid it.

Corren smiled and leaned down, pressing a firm kiss to her lips. She didn’t push him away. She was used to his impulsiveness now.

2/3

Chapter Seventy Light Didn’t Miss you one b

“I’m sorry, my love,” he said softly. “I should have protected you.”

“Enough with the drama,” she dismissed him, shifting her gaze past him.

Merrick was still standing there.

“Hey,” she said.

He crossed the room quickly and kissed her forehead.

“I’m so sorry,” he said. “For everything.”

“Don’t make me cry,” she warned. “You look awful when you’re emotional.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify