Chapter 136

In Chapter 137 of “Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth,” Cassian finds himself grappling with a mix of emotions as he watches Gemma walk away, leaving him feeling helpless. He is then faced with the distressing reality of Reyna’s health, as she is admitted to the hospital with acute gastritis. The atmosphere is heavy with guilt and concern as Cassian tries to comfort Reyna, who is visibly in pain and vulnerable, a stark contrast to her usual strength.
Reyna’s plea for Cassian to stay with her reveals her desperation and fear of being alone in her suffering. Despite his irritation at her choices, Cassian finds himself drawn to her fragility and agrees to remain by her side. Their conversation shifts to the complicated history between Reyna, Gemma, and their families, highlighting Reyna’s feelings of abandonment and the pain of her past. She expresses her struggle with her identity and the unfairness of her childhood, seeking understanding from Cassian.
As Reyna opens up about her experiences, Cassian is torn between his loyalty to Gemma and his growing empathy for Reyna. He acknowledges Reyna’s victimhood in the familial conflicts but feels the weight of his commitment to Gemma, reinforcing the need for boundaries between him and Reyna. This internal conflict creates a palpable tension in their interactions, as both characters navigate their complex emotions and histories.
The chapter culminates in a moment of urgency when Cassian receives a message that requires his immediate attention, signaling a shift in focus away from the emotional turmoil in the hospital room. This transition leaves the reader with a sense of unresolved tension, as Cassian must balance his responsibilities with his feelings for both women, setting the stage for further developments in the story.
**TITLE: Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest 137**
**Chapter 137**
Cassian
I find myself standing there, rooted to the spot, as I watch Gemma walk away from me, her silhouette gradually fading into the distance. The weight of her departure hangs heavily in the air, and I can’t shake off the feeling of helplessness that washes over me.
After releasing a long, weary sigh, I turn my gaze to Reyna, who is sitting on the hospital bed. There’s no escaping this; I have to take her to the hospital, where the doctors confirm she’s suffering from acute gastritis. The news settles over me like a thick fog, and I can’t help but feel a pang of guilt.
She lies there, her complexion drained of color, trembling slightly as she tries to find comfort in the sterile surroundings of the hospital room.
“Cassian… it hurts so much…” Her voice is strained, each word laced with pain.
I settle into the chair beside her bed, feeling utterly powerless to alleviate her suffering. “Next time, don’t force yourself to eat spicy food,” I advise gently, though I can’t help but wonder why she would push herself to the limit when she clearly knew she couldn’t handle it.
Reyna pouts, her voice barely rising above a whisper. “Are you blaming me? Gemma ordered those dishes, and I didn’t want her to feel upset… I only had a few bites. I guess I was trying too hard, but I didn’t mean anything by it.”
I feel a flash of irritation as she tugs at my sleeve, but I quickly suppress it.
“I’m not blaming you,” I reply, pulling my arm away and instead tucking the blanket around her frail body. She needs to rest, but I can see the panic starting to creep into her eyes.
“Please don’t tell my mom I’m in the hospital. She’ll worry. Can you stay with me a little longer? I promise I won’t take up too much of your time. Just… please don’t leave.”
The desperation in her voice strikes a chord within me. I’ve never witnessed Reyna beg like this before; she’s always been the epitome of strength.
Now, though, she appears so fragile, a mere girl trapped in a hospital bed, sickness making her feel utterly alone.
“Alright. I won’t go just yet. Just lie down and try to rest,” I assure her, watching as she relaxes a little, the tension in her shoulders easing.
“Cassian,” she whispers, her eyes searching mine, “have you been hearing things about me lately? Is that why you’re acting this way?”
Am I that transparent? I can feel the weight of her question pressing down on me, and I hesitate before answering.
“It’s about Gemma, right? But… we went to college together. We built the flight side of the operation from nothing. You know me. Maybe Gemma has the wrong impression about me, but I hope you won’t judge me just because of her. If you want to ask me anything, I’m willing to explain.”
Her words are earnest, and I can sense her attempt to diffuse the tension that lingers between us.
“Gemma told me about your childhood,” I begin, but I stop short, realizing that some things are better left unsaid.
Reyna’s expression shifts, and she seems to understand my unspoken thoughts.
“Cassian, listen… About my mom and Lucien Marino, I was just a kid back then. I couldn’t make any decisions. I know what happened hurt Gemma deeply, and I do feel for her. But have you ever thought about what it was like for me? I didn’t have a father either.”
Her words resonate with me, a stark reminder of her own pain.
“I was born out of wedlock. In public, I could only call him Mr. Marino. I had to watch him take Gemma to amusement parks, celebrate her birthdays while I got nothing. Maybe it wasn’t fair to Gemma, but was it fair to me?”
Her voice quivers, as if she’s tearing open a wound that she’s kept hidden for far too long.
“The day of the funeral was the last time I could call him ‘Dad.’ I didn’t want to let that chance slip away. But what happened afterward… I really didn’t know. And I couldn’t stop it, either. My mom refused to accept the truth and ended up getting into a fight with Gemma’s mom.”
Back then, Reyna and Gemma were just girls, their voices drowned out by the cacophony of adult arguments.
“I know… I know my mom and I wronged Gemma and Lisette. But I don’t want you to hate me because of that.”
Reyna reaches out again, her fingers weakly gripping my arm.
In that moment, she looks so vulnerable that I almost falter. What transpired in the past… it truly was the fault of the adults. The children were merely caught in the crossfire.
Yet, I am acutely aware of the depth of Gemma’s animosity towards Reyna.
As her husband, I should be attuned to Gemma’s feelings, respecting her emotions instead of taking a stance that could be seen as a betrayal.
“Reyna, I know you’re a victim in all this too. But Gemma is my wife. And you… you’re her sister in name only. We need to keep our distance.”
That’s the conclusion I reached a few days ago, a realization that has settled heavily in my mind.
Perhaps my failure to establish clear boundaries earlier allowed Gemma to misconstrue my relationship with Reyna. And Reyna… she doesn’t seem inclined to help clear up those misunderstandings either.
Reyna releases my arm, her hand falling to her side as a faint, bitter smile crosses her lips.
“Of course. I get it. From now on, I’ll keep my distance. So Gemma won’t get the wrong idea again.”
I nod, the weight of our conversation lingering in the air.
The clock on the wall ticks steadily, the sound echoing in the otherwise quiet room. It’s creeping towards ten at night, and a sense of restlessness begins to gnaw at me.
Suddenly, my phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out, my expression shifting as I read the message. My fingers tighten around the device, turning pale from the pressure.
Reyna rubs her eyes, her confusion evident. “What’s with that look? Did something happen?”
Her voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I realize I need to act quickly.
“I have to go. Something came up with a flight.”
I stand up, the urgency of the situation propelling me forward.
As I glance back at Reyna, her fragile figure enveloped in the stark whiteness of the hospital bed, I feel an overwhelming surge of conflicting emotions. The weight of our conversation lingers, a fragile truce formed in the face of shared pain and unspoken histories. I want to reassure her, to tell her that she is not alone in this, but the reality of my commitments to Gemma pulls me back. The painful truth remains that the bonds of blood and the scars of childhood cannot be easily untangled. I know I must prioritize my marriage, yet the flicker of understanding between Reyna and me is undeniable. In this moment, I see her not just as Gemma’s sister, but as a girl who has endured her own struggles, a girl who deserves compassion despite the tangled web of our pasts.
As I step away, the urgency of my responsibilities weighs heavily on my shoulders. I can feel the distance growing between us, a necessary barrier to protect the fragile peace I have with Gemma. Yet, as I walk out of the room, I can’t shake the feeling that this chapter of our lives is far from over. The echoes of our conversation will haunt me, reminding me of the complexities of love, loyalty, and forgiveness. I know that the road ahead will be fraught with challenges, but for now, I must focus on the immediate task at hand, hoping that in time, we can all find a way to heal and perhaps, one day, bridge the gaps that have long kept us apart.
In the upcoming chapter, readers can expect the tension to escalate as Cassian grapples with the unexpected twist of events that has just unfolded. With the weight of Reyna’s vulnerability still fresh in his mind, Cassian must navigate the complicated web of relationships that bind them all together. Will he be able to maintain the delicate balance between his loyalty to Gemma and the undeniable connection that seems to be forming with Reyna? As he rushes to address the urgent matter at hand, the stakes are raised, and the emotional turmoil within him will only deepen.
Moreover, the looming shadow of the past continues to haunt the characters, threatening to unravel the fragile threads of understanding they’ve begun to weave. As Cassian confronts the implications of his choices, the chapter promises to delve deeper into Reyna’s backstory, revealing the layers of pain and longing that have shaped her into the person she is today. Will her past finally catch up with her, or will Cassian find a way to bridge the chasm that exists between the sisters? The anticipation builds as secrets are poised to surface, and the consequences of their actions might just redefine their futures forever. Readers should brace themselves for an emotional rollercoaster as the next chapter unfolds, promising revelations that will leave them breathless.
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