Chapter 132

In Chapter 132 of “Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth,” Gemma is caught off guard by an unexpected kiss from Cassian, which ignites a flurry of emotions within her. Despite his usual reluctance to show affection in public, Cassian’s gentle kiss leaves Gemma feeling a mix of surprise and exhilaration. As she grapples with her feelings, she notices Reyna’s jealousy, which adds tension to the atmosphere. Reyna storms off, leaving Gemma amused by her reaction, while she and Cassian prepare to leave the auction hall.
As they drive back to the estate, a heavy silence envelops them, leading to a discussion about the gift Gemma has chosen for her grandfather, Donovan. Cassian expresses disbelief at her decision to give just one painting, implying that it may not be enough for the upcoming birthday banquet filled with syndicate members. Gemma, feeling defensive, insists that the painting is meaningful and that she doesn’t care about impressing others. She values her grandfather’s happiness over societal expectations, which leads to a heated exchange about their differing perspectives on materialism and familial love.
The argument escalates as Gemma refuses to accept Cassian’s suggestion to buy additional gifts, asserting her independence and the significance of her chosen present. Cassian’s frustration grows as he tries to protect her from potential judgment at the banquet, but Gemma remains resolute in her beliefs. She feels that no matter what she does, the elite circle will never accept her, and she is unwilling to compromise her values for their approval. Their conversation reveals the cracks in their relationship, with both characters grappling with their feelings and the reality of their impending divorce.
As the chapter concludes, Cassian receives a call from Donovan, inviting them for dinner. This moment serves as a reminder of the familial bonds that still exist despite the tensions between Gemma and Cassian. The warmth of Donovan’s invitation contrasts with the coldness of their argument, highlighting the complexities of love, loyalty, and the challenges they face as they navigate their intertwined lives amidst the backdrop of family expectations and personal desires.
**Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane**
**Chapter 132**
**Gemma**
All I want is to get under Reyna’s skin.
Cassian would never dream of pulling a stunt like this in public—he’s always been averse to any form of physical closeness with me. Even something as simple as linking arms pushes the boundaries of his comfort zone.
Yet, surprisingly, he remains silent this time. After I finish my little outburst, he leans in and places a gentle kiss on my cheek, completely unreserved. The softness of his lips sends a cascade of shivers racing down my spine, igniting a spark that travels through me like a live wire. My body stiffens in response, and my heart begins to thump wildly in my chest.
What on earth is happening to me?
I’m utterly unprepared for this. Not even remotely ready.
That kiss… Oh God, it’s so achingly tender, it makes my heart do somersaults.
I find myself staring at him, my eyes wide with shock, completely taken aback by his unexpected display of affection.
Meanwhile, Cassian appears to be reveling in his own satisfaction, a smug grin playing on his lips.
“Are we ready to head out, darling?” he asks, stretching that last word as if to tease me.
My cheeks flush instantly, a deep crimson creeping across my face.
Maybe I don’t know Cassian as well as I thought I did.
Reyna stands across from us, her expression a mix of disbelief and seething jealousy. She doesn’t even try to mask it; it’s written all over her face.
With a huff, she turns on her heel, muttering something about needing to take care of business now that the auction has concluded, and storms off in a huff.
I can’t help but chuckle softly at her reaction.
Once we step out of the auction hall, I slide into the passenger seat of Cassian’s car, the familiar leather enveloping me as we begin our journey back to the estate.
As we drive, the silence stretches between us, heavy with unspoken words. Finally, Cassian breaks it, his voice laced with incredulity.
“One painting. That’s it?”
I furrow my brow, perplexed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Is he genuinely criticizing my gift?
He hesitates for a moment, as if searching for the right words. “That’s not what I mean…”
“Then what do you mean?” I press, my irritation bubbling to the surface.
Okay, maybe I’m being a tad dramatic. I have every intention of giving this painting to Donovan—it comes straight from my heart. I didn’t even dip into the funds Cassian provided earlier.
Now, he’s acting as though my heartfelt gift isn’t sufficient.
“I gave you a black card, didn’t I? You could have bought something else to accompany the painting. Something more substantial.”
“Oh, so now it’s about money?” I retort, my voice rising. “This painting is Grandpa’s favorite. He’s going to be thrilled to receive it for his birthday.”
Cassian falls silent for a moment, contemplating his next words.
“Look,” he finally says, his tone shifting slightly. “Pretty much every syndicate member will be at this birthday banquet. If you show up with just one painting, people are going to talk. I’m only trying to help—I don’t want you to become a target for the Blackwell family again.”
“Listen, it’s Grandpa’s birthday, not theirs. Why should I care what they think? As long as Grandpa’s happy, that’s all that truly matters.”
To me, if Donovan appreciates the painting, my mission is accomplished. I refuse to buy things he doesn’t even want just to impress a bunch of mafia members and their ostentatious wives.
No matter what I do, these people will never accept me.
So why should I even try?
Cassian shrugs, a hint of frustration creeping into his expression. “Fine. I respect your decision. But you know they have it out for you. I’m just hoping… maybe if I handle it my way, they’ll ease up.”
“If it were just us and Grandpa, it’d be fine,” he adds, his voice softening. “But do you really want to be swarmed by everyone again?”
“So what—you think I should waste a fortune on things that don’t matter, just to make people who despise me think I’ve changed?”
I shoot him a glare, incredulous at his suggestion.
“I’m not buying things for Grandpa that he doesn’t need. If you want to buy something extra, go ahead. Just don’t put my name on it.”
“Why are you so damn stubborn? I told you there’s no limit on that black card. You can buy anything you want.”
His tone grates on me, as if he believes he has the authority to dictate what I should do with my choices.
“I didn’t use your card. That painting is my gift for Grandpa. If you think it’s embarrassing, then go buy something yourself. It doesn’t matter anyway—we’re getting divorced. Why do you even care what I give him?”
If we weren’t still legally bound by that marriage certificate, I wouldn’t have even mentioned the painting to him.
I only brought it up out of courtesy.
And he has the audacity to criticize it like this?
Cassian falls silent, clearly running out of arguments.
“You’re really getting good at this,” he mutters under his breath. “Every time we fight, you throw the divorce in my face.”
I let out a cold, humorless laugh. “Well, that’s just the kind of difficult woman I am.”
At that moment, Cassian’s phone rings through the car’s Bluetooth system.
It’s Donovan.
He taps the screen to answer, and Donovan’s booming voice fills the car, warm and inviting.
“Hey, kid! Where are you? Come over for dinner tonight! We’re having spicy BBQ.”
As the car hums steadily along the road, Gemma feels the weight of her emotions pressing against her chest, a mix of frustration and longing swirling within her. The unexpected kiss from Cassian ignited something deep inside, yet their conversation quickly spiraled into a familiar argument, exposing the cracks in their relationship. Gemma’s heart aches with the realization that despite the tender moments, their connection is fraught with misunderstandings and unspoken fears. Her determination to gift her grandfather something meaningful clashes with Cassian’s desire for protection and acceptance in a world that feels hostile to her. The thought of their impending divorce looms over her like a dark cloud, casting shadows on the moments that had once felt so bright.
Yet, as Donovan’s warm invitation fills the car, a flicker of hope ignites within Gemma. It serves as a reminder that amidst the chaos and conflict, there are still bonds worth nurturing, particularly with her grandfather, who sees her for who she truly is. The tension in the car dissipates just slightly, replaced by the comforting thought of family and the love that remains untainted by the judgments of others. In this moment, Gemma resolves to stay true to her feelings and her choices, seeking solace in the knowledge that her worth isn’t defined by the opinions of the syndicate or even by Cassian’s expectations. As they drive toward dinner, she clings to the hope that perhaps, just perhaps, love can still flourish even in the face of adversity.
In the next chapter, readers can expect the tension between Gemma and Cassian to escalate as they navigate the complexities of their relationship amidst the backdrop of family obligations. With Donovan inviting them over for dinner, the stakes rise, as Gemma must confront not only her feelings about the painting but also the impending reality of their divorce. Will she find the courage to stand her ground against Cassian’s well-meaning but suffocating suggestions? Or will the pressure of familial expectations push her to reconsider her choices? The dinner promises to be a melting pot of emotions, where simmering resentments and unspoken affections will likely boil over.
Moreover, the dynamics with Reyna are bound to add another layer of intrigue. With her jealousy still fresh from the auction, will she attempt to sabotage Gemma’s efforts to please Donovan? As Gemma prepares for the evening, the emotional stakes will heighten, and readers will be left wondering if she can truly embrace her individuality in a world that seems determined to define her by her past. The chapter looms with uncertainty, leaving us to ponder whether Gemma will rise to the occasion or succumb to the pressures surrounding her. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions as secrets, confrontations, and unexpected alliances unfold at the dinner table.
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