Chapter 174

In Chapter 173 of “Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth,” Gemma finds herself in a heated confrontation with her husband, Cassian. The chapter opens with Cassian lunging at Gemma, causing her to trip and injure her ankle. This physical pain ignites her anger as she confronts him about his recent behavior, particularly his failure to answer her calls while he was out with strangers. Their argument reveals deep-seated issues in their relationship, including Cassian’s past lies to protect Reyna, which Gemma resents. The tension escalates as Jace, a friend of Gemma’s, intervenes, pointing out Cassian’s questionable priorities, leaving Cassian momentarily speechless.
After their confrontation, Gemma and Cassian return to the Blackwell estate, where they discover Cassian’s grandfather, Donovan, has returned home. Donovan’s warm but probing questions about their whereabouts lead Gemma to fabricate a story about a late-night snack. The interaction highlights the strained dynamics within the family, particularly regarding Gemma’s relationship with Cassian. Donovan’s well-meaning advice about taking care of each other adds a layer of pressure on Gemma, who feels uncertain about their future together.
As Gemma prepares for their trip, she receives a surprise visit from Zina, who warns her that Reyna might be at the airport. This news heightens Gemma’s anxiety, as Reyna’s presence could complicate their already fragile relationship. Despite trying to rationalize Reyna’s motives, Gemma is clearly unsettled by the thought of her husband’s ex being nearby. The chapter culminates in a moment of suspense as Cassian arrives late to the airport, but he is not alone—Reyna accompanies him, rolling a suitcase behind her. This unexpected twist leaves Gemma feeling betrayed and anxious, setting the stage for further conflict in their journey ahead.
Chapter 173
Gemma’s POV
Cassian lunges at me so suddenly, I end up tripping on my own foot while trying to avoid him.
A sharp jab jolts through my ankle as it twists, just slightly, but sharp enough to flare up my anger.
“What the hell are you doing, Cassian?” I shove him back, glaring. “Are you crazy?”
He falters for a moment, like he didn’t mean to come in so hot.
“You didn’t answer my calls,” he mutters through a jaw that is locked so tightly I’m afraid it might crack.
“But you had time to grab midnight snacks with strangers?”
I stare at him, “My phone was dead.”
“That’s your excuse?”
“Better than the years you spent lying to cover for Reyna. You always picked up her calls while letting mine go straight to voicemail. So yeah, forgive me for thinking I deserved one meal on my own terms.”
16:53
< Chapter 173 Lucky Draw “And for your reference, Jace is not a stranger. He is my friend, something I hope you know the definition of.” Cassian’s eyes dart to Jace, who is still standing nearby, calm and collected despite the tension practically splitting the air in half. Cassian growls, “Okay, friend. “Next time, mind your business because I’m here to take care of whatever my wife needs.” Jace lifts an eyebrow and offers a smile. “Yeah, for her sake, I hope she’s not in trouble when you’re off charming other women.” Jace’s words have slapped Cassian without him needing to make a single move. For once, he’s speechless and Jace takes this chance to step away, stuffing hands in his pockets, disappearing into the shadows after offering me a smile. I get into the car in silence, yanking the door shut. Cassian slides in next to me, but my glare is all I have to offer him. I keep my eyes on the window the entire time. The streetlights flicker past pulsing across my reflection, but I don’t even glance at him. 27 16:53 < Chapter 173 time. Fine. Let the silence choke him the way his choices have choked me. Lucky Draw We pull into the Blackwell estate, surprised to find that the lights in the main building are on. I glance up and pause. “Wait–is that…? ” Cassian notices too, and clenches his jaw. “Grandpa is back.” We rush in and find Donovan sitting in the main drawing room, a thick shawl draped across his shoulders as he sips some ginger tea. “Grandpa?” Cassian starts, “When were you discharged? Why didn’t the doctors-” Donovan holds up a hand. “Later. First, you tell me, where were you two?” Cassian and I exchange a glance, coming to a silent agreement. 16:53 < Chapter 173 “We just went out for a bite, grandpa.” I say quickly. Lucky Draw “Gemma was craving a late–night snack and couldn’t sleep, so I decided to take her along to the seaside highway.” Donovan eyes us both for a long moment, before his gaze softens. “Well, alright if Gemma wanted to have something… but you could just ask the chefs to make whatever you wanted, dear. And if you feel like going for a ride, just remember to take the guards along, okay?” I lower my gaze, murmuring, “Yes, Grandpa.” Cassian mutters the same beside me, before we are dismissed. I carry my bags down the stairs, careful not to let the wheels scrape the polished wood. My dog barks and pads over, tail wagging like he senses I’m about to leave. I kneel to kiss his head, ruffling his ears. “Be good, okay? No chewing Grandpa’s slippers this time.” Donovan watches from his chair by the window, a blanket 4/7 spread over his legs. He closes the book he was reading and 16:53 < Chapter 173 Lucky Draw “Have a good journey, dear Gemma. And I hope this trip gives you both time to mend what’s been broken.” I nod, managing a polite smile, although I’m not sure how well we’ll be able to deliver on his expectations. He adds, and “I hope you both can try for a baby. Who knows, maybe you’ll come back with more than just souvenirs! No pressure, of course, just take it how it goes.” I freeze for a second, realizing what he means. “Yes, Grandpa.” “Let’s see if we can start with not killing each other first,” I add only in my head. The driver loads the last of my things into the trunk, and reports to grandpa. “Is everything set?” “Yes, sir. Mr. Blackwell has handed off his flight responsibilities at the office, and plans to meet Mrs. Blackwell directly at the airport.” The ride to the private airstrip is quiet, the clouds beginning 16:53 to thicken across the sky. I arrive early on purpose, and make 5/7 myself comfortable in the lounge. < Chapter 173 Lucky Draw settle into my seat, a small figure rushes in, ducking behind the glass divider, her hoodie pulled low like she’s trying to escape the interpol. “Zina?!” She raises her gaze, where her candy blue hair has been tied into a bun and stuffed under the hood. “Hey babe, I wasn’t sure I could even come near you without being seen but I had to warn you-” “Warn me! About what?” “I think Reyna’s here.” My brows rise. “Here?” “I saw her at the terminal a few minutes ago,” Zina whispers. “She looked a little off… I don’t know, I feel like something is really wrong or is going to be, now that the flagbearer of trouble has been spotted.” I sigh, trying to reason with myself. “She’s probably here to finalize her resignation papers with Cassian. He doesn’t want her to stay on for even a day, and 672 we’ll be back after at least two weeks.” 16:53 < Chapter 173 “Don’t worry about it. It’s nothing.” Lucky Draw Zina leaves, and the clock rushes forward. We are ready and boarded, but Cassian still isn’t here… even though it has been ten minutes past departure time. I check my phone, but there are no messages or missed calls. Of course. Like always, my husband is a ghost once more. Just when I’m about to call the flight crew to cancel the whole stupid trip, the glass doors swing open. Cassian strides in, tall and sharp in a crisp shirt, like he changed clothes on the way over. But my gaze locks onto the figure trailing behind him – Reyna, rolling a silver suitcase with one hand, and clutching a boarding pass with the other. Coin Package: get more free bonus 7/7 Write your comment As we stand on the precipice of this turbulent journey, the air between Cassian and me is thick with unresolved tensions and unspoken words. The confrontation in the car was a mere reflection of the deeper fissures that have formed between us, each jagged edge a reminder of the years lost to lies and misunderstandings. Cassian’s attempts to assert his role as my protector feel hollow against the backdrop of his past choices that have left me feeling abandoned. Yet, as we prepare to board the flight, a flicker of hope ignites within me. Donovan’s words linger in my mind, urging us to mend what has been broken, and perhaps, in this shared space away from our tumultuous lives, we might find a way to navigate the storm together. But just as I begin to envision a path toward healing, Reyna’s unexpected presence sends a shockwave through my resolve. The very embodiment of our past, she arrives with the potential to unravel the fragile truce we’ve begun to form. My heart races, torn between the desire to confront the shadows of our history and the longing to escape them. As Cassian strides in confidently, I brace myself for the inevitable clash that awaits us. With the clouds thickening overhead, I can only hope that this trip will not only challenge our relationship but also serve as a catalyst for transformation. Whether we return with broken pieces or newfound strength remains to be seen, but I know one thing for certain: this journey is about to redefine everything we thought we knew about love, trust, and the power of second chances. In the upcoming chapter, tensions are set to escalate as Gemma finds herself caught in the crossfire of Cassian’s unresolved feelings and Reyna’s unexpected appearance. With the weight of their past looming large, the air is thick with unspoken words and emotions that threaten to spill over. As Gemma grapples with her own anger and confusion, readers can expect a confrontation that could either lead to healing or further division. Will Cassian finally confront his feelings for Reyna, or will he choose to fight for his marriage with Gemma? The stakes are higher than ever, and every glance exchanged could ignite a spark that has been simmering for far too long. Moreover, the return of Donovan and his heartfelt wishes for reconciliation adds another layer of complexity to the narrative. His hopes for Gemma and Cassian to mend their broken relationship and perhaps even start a family weigh heavily on Gemma’s mind. As they embark on their trip, the question of whether they can truly leave their past behind looms large. Will the journey provide the space they need to reconnect, or will the shadows of their history follow them, leading to an explosive confrontation? With Reyna lurking in the wings, the potential for chaos is palpable, and readers will be on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating how these tangled relationships will unfold. admin