Chapter 137

In Chapter 138 of “Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth,” Gemma grapples with a surge of anxiety as she departs from Cassian and Reyna. Her moment of solitude is abruptly interrupted by a call from Angela, a figure from her past whose insincerity and manipulative tendencies resurface. Despite her initial reluctance, Gemma agrees to meet Angela, driven by the threat Angela poses regarding her mother’s mental health and the potential fallout for Cassian. The weight of their past interactions looms heavily as Gemma prepares to confront the woman who once feigned friendship while entangled in deceit.
Upon arriving at their old house, Gemma is met with Angela’s smug demeanor, which only fuels her disdain. Angela’s taunts about Gemma’s perceived failures and her mother’s struggles ignite a simmering rage within Gemma. The encounter escalates as Angela attempts to belittle Gemma’s worth and insinuates that she should step aside for Reyna, who is now thriving in her career. In a moment of heated emotion, Gemma retaliates against Angela’s verbal assaults with a slap, asserting her boundaries and refusing to let Angela speak ill of her mother.
The confrontation takes a turn when Jace intervenes, showcasing his protective nature. His presence provides a sense of calm amidst the chaos, and his support reassures Gemma. As Angela retreats, Gemma reflects on her growth and resilience, realizing she no longer feels threatened by Angela’s presence. The chapter concludes with Gemma returning home to find solace in her work, hinting at a newfound strength and determination to rise above her past and the toxic influence of Angela.
Overall, this chapter captures Gemma’s emotional journey as she confronts her past, stands up for herself, and begins to embrace her evolving identity. The tension between her feelings of anxiety and her burgeoning confidence creates a compelling narrative of personal growth and empowerment.
**Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest 138**
**Chapter 138**
**Gemma**
As the taxi pulls away from Cassian and Reyna, I take a moment to inhale deeply, allowing the air to fill my lungs and steady my racing heart. The familiar weight of anxiety rests heavily on my chest, but I force myself to relax.
Suddenly, my phone buzzes with an incoming call from an unknown number. I hesitate, my finger hovering over the screen, before finally answering.
“Hey, Gemma. It’s me, Angela. Are you free today? I’d like to see you.”
Her voice drips with a sweetness that feels insincere, a remnant of the past when she and Lucien were entangled in their secret affair, all while pretending to be the innocent friend.
Back in those days, Angela was surprisingly decent to me. Occasionally, she would invite me out for lunch, and during those cheap meals at the café, she would regale me with tales of the men pursuing her. Some of them offered lavish gifts: apartments, sparkling jewelry. One particularly audacious suitor even promised to leave his wife for her, claiming he could provide her with a life of luxury.
And then, there was the part where she sought my counsel.
I was young, naive even. I genuinely believed she was facing difficulties and that she needed my guidance.
I can still recall the words I spoke to her as if they were etched in my memory.
“Angela, breaking up a family is wrong. My mom says some things are just about morals.”
As I reflect on that moment, I can almost see the flicker of discomfort that crossed her face, a fleeting glimpse of guilt.
“But Gemma,” she countered, her voice dripping with feigned innocence, “isn’t it worse for two people to stay together when there’s no love? And anyway, I’m not forcing him to leave his wife. I just want to see him sometimes.”
Even back then, Angela had a knack for justifying her actions, as if marriage were merely a contract that could be discarded when it no longer suited her.
Returning to the present, I feel my grip on the phone tighten. “I’m busy,” I reply, my voice flat and unyielding.
The thought of seeing her again repulses me, especially after her visit to the hospital, where she upset my mother. That was a line she crossed that I cannot forgive.
“I want to discuss something important—about Lisette. You wouldn’t want everyone to find out your mom has a mental illness, would you? That wouldn’t reflect well on Cassian, either.”
Her words hang in the air, sharp and menacing, like a sword poised to strike.
Despite my better judgment, I find myself agreeing to meet her.
And where does she choose? Our old house, of all places.
When I arrive, her face lights up with that infuriatingly smug smile that I’ve come to despise.
“What do you want?” I ask, my tone icy, doing my utmost to convey my disdain, to make her feel insignificant.
“Look at you,” she scoffs. “No job. No degree. And your mom? Still having tantrums in psych wards. You were never a match for the Blackwells.”
I remain silent, but inside, a fire of rage ignites, a longing for revenge that simmers just beneath the surface.
“Reyna’s back from overseas. She’s now one of Cassian’s top engineers. They were in the same class together. I called you here to suggest you take the smart way out. Accept reality. Step aside before you embarrass yourself.”
I can’t help it; a laugh escapes me, sharp and bitter.
Angela glares at me, confusion etched on her face. “What’s so funny?”
“You. Still as shameless as ever.”
Back then, I felt powerless against Reyna, with everyone rallying behind her.
But now?
Angela is nothing more than a fleeting annoyance.
I no longer care.
Her smile falters, and for a moment, I see the anger bubbling beneath her surface, but she manages to suppress it.
“Sooner or later, Cassian will realize he and Reyna are two sides of the same coin. You’ve been married into the Blackwells for three years and still haven’t earned their respect. You’re a failure. Why not leave before you end up like your mom?”
Before I can think, my hand raises and connects with her cheek in a sharp slap. The heat of my fury courses through my veins.
“You don’t get to talk about my mother.”
Angela gasps, clutching her face. “You bitch! You dare to hit me?!”
She lunges at me, but I’m already coiled with tension, ready to unleash my fury, to tear into her without a second thought.
But then, someone steps in between us.
Jace.
What on earth is he doing here?
“I never left,” he states, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside me, standing protectively in front of me.
He turns to Angela, his gaze as cold as ice. “Leave. Now. Or I can’t promise what will happen next.”
Angela lets out a derisive laugh. “Wow, Gemma. And here I thought you were loyal. Turns out you’re just like the rest.”
She assumes there’s something more between Jace and me, and I don’t bother to correct her misconception.
As she brushes past us, Jace glances back at me, concern etched on his features.
“You okay? Did she hurt you?”
Just as he asks, a flash catches my eye—a camera capturing the moment.
I see it, and so does Jace.
“You want me to go after her?” he offers, ready to spring into action.
I shake my head, dismissing the thought. “No need. It’s just a picture. But next time? She won’t get off so easy.”
We climb into Jace’s car, and I rub my temples, feeling the tension in my head.
“Don’t let anything that woman said get to you. You’re better than her daughter in every way.”
It’s surprising to hear Jace speak so openly; he’s not one for idle chatter.
“I’m not upset,” I assure him, offering a small smile. “Just… thinking.”
Three years ago, if Angela had hurled those insults at me, I would have crumbled.
But now?
I refuse to compete with a homewrecker. Just being mentioned in the same breath as her feels like an affront.
When we arrive at the estate’s front gate, I step out and turn back to him.
“Thanks for driving me back.”
If Jace hadn’t intervened, I might have actually fought Angela. Something is shifting within me, something I didn’t anticipate. Perhaps I’m more like Cassian than I ever realized—more ruthless, more resilient.
Back home, I don’t see Grandpa lounging in the living room, and I let out a sigh of relief as I head upstairs.
I lock myself in my room, pull out my laptop, and dive back into work.
But just as I’m about to finish the last bit of coding I was tweaking, the bedroom door bursts open with a bang.
In the aftermath of her confrontation with Angela, Gemma emerges with a newfound strength, a realization that she is no longer the naive girl who once sought validation from those who would undermine her. The slap she delivered to Angela is not just an act of defiance; it symbolizes her refusal to be a victim of her past. With Jace standing by her side, she recognizes that she is not alone in her struggles. The warmth of their connection offers solace in the face of adversity, reminding her that loyalty and support can be found in unexpected places. As she locks herself in her room, diving back into her work, Gemma understands that her worth is not defined by the opinions of others, especially by someone like Angela, who embodies everything she despises.
The chapter closes with Gemma feeling a flicker of hope igniting within her—a hope that she can rise above the shadows of her past and carve out her own identity. The emotional arc of this moment is profound; she is no longer tethered to the insecurities that haunted her for years. Instead, she embraces her resilience and the strength that comes from standing up for herself and her loved ones. As she focuses on her work, she feels a sense of empowerment that propels her forward, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead. With each keystroke, she is not just coding; she is building a future where she is the architect of her own destiny, free from the chains of her former self.
In the next chapter, tensions will escalate as Gemma grapples with the fallout from her confrontation with Angela. The encounter has ignited a fire within her, one that will challenge her to confront not only her past but also her identity in the shadow of the Blackwell legacy. With Jace’s unexpected support lingering in her mind, Gemma may find herself questioning her place in Cassian’s world and the lengths she is willing to go to secure her own happiness. Will she embrace the ruthless side that has begun to emerge, or will the weight of her insecurities pull her back into the depths of doubt?
Moreover, the arrival of a new character or unexpected twist could shake up the dynamics further. Perhaps Angela’s threats will have unforeseen consequences, drawing out secrets that could expose vulnerabilities Gemma thought she had buried. As she navigates this treacherous landscape, the stakes will only grow higher, and the choices she makes could either solidify her position or unravel everything she has fought to protect. Readers can expect a thrilling blend of emotional confrontation and strategic maneuvering as Gemma steps into a new chapter of her life, one that promises to be fraught with drama and revelations.
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