Chapter 93

In Chapter 93 of “Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth,” Gemma and Jace share a meal that stirs up nostalgia and deeper emotions. Jace reminisces about their past, mentioning the few times they ordered takeout together, which surprises Gemma as she can only recall one such occasion. This moment highlights the contrast between Jace’s thoughtful nature and Cassian’s indifference. When Jace instinctively protects Gemma from a sharp corner of the table, it reinforces her awareness of his caring demeanor, making her reflect on the lack of attention she receives from her husband.
As they continue their meal, Jace asks about Gemma’s marriage to Cassian, prompting her to admit that things are not great. This admission brings to light the reality of her strained relationship, filled with unfulfilled expectations. Jace’s concern for Gemma is evident as he questions why someone as wonderful as her would remain with someone like Cassian. This moment of honesty forces Gemma to confront the truth about her marriage, leading her to realize that she has wasted three years of her life on a relationship that has brought her more pain than joy.
Despite the heaviness of their conversation, Jace tries to lighten the mood, bringing a warmth that Gemma has been missing for a long time. Their shared laughter and memories help to momentarily ease the tension, reminding Gemma of the friendship that began when she saved Jace from bullies in school. This recollection brings a smile to her face, contrasting sharply with the turmoil in her current life. However, the arrival of Rhett Whitaker, a figure associated with Cassian, disrupts the moment, leaving Gemma feeling anxious about the implications of being seen with Jace.
As Rhett takes a picture of them, Gemma’s anxiety escalates, knowing that this could provoke Cassian’s wrath. Despite her attempt to focus on the conversation with Jace, her phone vibrates with a text from Cassian, inquiring about her whereabouts. This sudden shift back to the reality of her troubled marriage leaves Gemma feeling trapped between the warmth of her friendship with Jace and the looming shadow of her relationship with Cassian, highlighting her internal conflict and the emotional turmoil she faces.
**Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth**
*by Eli Dane*
**Crest 93**
**Chapter 93**
**Gemma**
“We ordered takeout together a few times,” Jace says, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.
I blink in surprise, momentarily caught off guard. A few times? My mind races back, and I can only pinpoint one instance where we shared a meal outside. Just one solitary occasion, yet it lingers in his memory?
As if on cue, our food arrives with a flourish, but before I can even lift my fork, the waiter clumsily knocks it off the table. I lean down to retrieve it, and in that instant, Jace instinctively places his hand on the edge of the table, shielding me from the sharp corner. It’s a simple gesture, yet it resonates deeply within me. When I straighten up, he quietly retracts his hand, as if he knows that his small act of care has not gone unnoticed.
I do notice. How could I not? It’s such a minor action, but it speaks volumes about his character—thoughtfulness wrapped in silence. It’s a stark contrast to Cassian, whose indifference often leaves me feeling unseen. Jace may not be the most loquacious person, but his actions resonate with a depth that words often fail to convey.
As we dig into our meal, he slides a piece of salmon onto my plate—my absolute favorite.
“How are things between you and your husband?” he asks, his tone suddenly serious.
My hand trembles slightly as I grip my fork, the weight of his question sinking in. Zina must have shared something; how else would Jace be privy to the turmoil swirling in my life with Cassian?
“Not great,” I finally admit, my voice barely above a whisper.
That succinct phrase encapsulates the reality of my marriage to Cassian—strained, tumultuous, and filled with unfulfilled expectations.
Jace purses his lips, his brow furrowing as he contemplates my response. I can sense his reluctance to voice his thoughts, a hesitation that hangs in the air between us.
“Tell me what you’re thinking,” I encourage him, my curiosity piqued. “I can tell you want to say something.”
We’ve shared so much over the years—college memories, laughter, and now this meal. We’re friends, and there’s no reason for him to hold back now.
“I’m just curious why someone as amazing as you would waste time on somebody like Cassian,” he finally says, his voice tinged with concern.
I pause, my fork hovering above my plate, as I reflect on the past three years. Even Jace—someone who has been absent from my life for so long—can see the truth that I’ve been blind to.
Cassian treats me poorly.
It’s as if the entire world has recognized the reality of my marriage, while I’ve been the one wearing blinders. Perhaps they possess a clearer perspective on my situation.
I’ve squandered three years chasing a mirage, driven by my stubbornness and a misguided sense of hope. Yet life is not infinite; it doesn’t grant you endless cycles of three years.
One thing is abundantly clear: I can no longer afford to waste my time on Cassian.
Noticing the weight of my silence, Jace attempts to lighten the mood. “Let’s not dwell on the sad stuff,” he suggests gently, a warm smile breaking through my melancholy.
I snap back to the present, managing a small smile in return.
In this brief interlude, Jace has shown me more kindness and warmth than I’ve felt in what seems like ages.
“You’re still pretty quiet,” I tease lightly, “but compared to our first meeting, you’ve definitely opened up.”
He chuckles softly, a sound that feels rare and precious. “The first time we met, you saved my life.”
His words catch me off guard, sending a ripple of memories flooding back.
I vividly recall our first encounter at school, tucked away in an abandoned warehouse behind the library. Jace was surrounded by a group of notorious bullies, and without a second thought, I grabbed my phone and called campus security. When they finally arrived to break up the chaos, Jace looked like he had just emerged from a battle.
I rushed him to the infirmary, handed him my number, and said, “Call me if you ever need anything.”
And just like that, a friendship was born.
A smile spreads across my face as I reminisce, but I don’t say much more.
My gaze drifts, and I spot Rhett Whitaker—the fool who is hopelessly infatuated with Reyna.
Rhett has never been particularly friendly towards me, and it’s painfully clear why—his loyalty lies with Reyna. Yet he is a senior member of the Blackwell crew, one of Cassian’s college friends, and his presence sends a shiver down my spine.
He sees me, and I can feel the weight of his gaze.
Our eyes lock, and I can see the gears turning in his mind as he takes in the sight of Jace beside me.
It’s as if Rhett has just stumbled upon the juiciest secret of the century.
Without missing a beat, he pulls out his phone and snaps a picture of us.
Shit.
I’m not doing anything wrong, but I can already envision Cassian’s reaction—he’ll have yet another reason to unleash his fury.
I take a deep breath, trying my best to dismiss Rhett’s invasive actions and return to my conversation with Jace.
But barely five minutes pass before my phone vibrates with a text from Cassian.
“Where are you?”
As the evening unfolds, Gemma finds herself navigating the delicate balance between the warmth of Jace’s friendship and the harsh reality of her marriage to Cassian. Jace’s thoughtful gestures and genuine concern illuminate the shadows of her life, revealing the stark contrast between the care she receives from him and the neglect she endures from Cassian. In this moment of vulnerability, Gemma confronts the painful truth about her relationship, realizing that she has been holding onto a mirage of hope for far too long. The weight of her silence is heavy with unspoken fears and desires, yet Jace’s presence offers a flicker of light, suggesting that perhaps there is a path forward, one that doesn’t involve the confines of her troubled marriage.
As Gemma’s phone vibrates with Cassian’s demanding text, she feels the familiar pang of anxiety but also a newfound resolve. The warmth that Jace has brought into her life serves as a reminder that she deserves kindness and respect, not the turmoil that has characterized her relationship with Cassian. This moment marks a turning point; Gemma understands that she is no longer willing to waste her time on someone who fails to see her worth. With Jace’s quiet support echoing in her mind, she stands at the precipice of change, ready to embrace her own value and the possibility of a future filled with genuine connection, unburdened by the past.
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As Gemma grapples with the emotional weight of her relationship with Cassian, the tension between her burgeoning connection with Jace and the looming threat of her husband intensifies. The next chapter promises to delve deeper into Gemma’s internal conflict as she navigates her feelings for Jace, who embodies the warmth and kindness she so desperately craves. Will she find the courage to confront the reality of her marriage, or will Cassian’s impending response to the photo derail her moment of clarity? Expect a heart-wrenching exploration of love, loyalty, and the choices that define us.
Moreover, with Rhett’s invasive photograph hanging like a dark cloud over Gemma’s newfound hope, the stakes are higher than ever. The chapter will likely reveal Cassian’s reaction, igniting a series of events that could either shatter Gemma’s fragile resolve or propel her towards a long-overdue decision. As tensions rise and secrets threaten to spill, readers can anticipate a gripping narrative filled with unexpected twists that force Gemma to confront her past and redefine her future. Will she finally break free from the chains of her marriage, or will fear keep her tethered to a life that no longer serves her? All will be revealed in the next chapter.
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