Chapter 162

In Chapter 162 of “Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth,” Gemma confronts Reyna in a tense hospital scene. The chapter opens with Gemma’s shock and anger as she slaps Reyna, warning her not to meddle with her grandfather’s health again. Reyna’s reaction is one of disbelief and hurt, as she tries to defend herself by recalling her previous apologies and promises to stay away from Cassian. However, Gemma remains unyielding, viewing Reyna’s presence as a betrayal and accusing her of manipulation.
Cassian, who stands protectively beside Gemma, attempts to diffuse the situation, urging her to behave appropriately in the hospital. Despite his calm demeanor, Gemma feels frustrated by his concern for decorum while Reyna continues to play the victim. The tension escalates as Gemma accuses Reyna of being the cause of her grandfather’s health issues, suggesting that Reyna’s visit triggered a spike in his blood pressure. Reyna, caught between the two, tries to maintain her innocence but struggles under the weight of Gemma’s accusations.
As the confrontation intensifies, Reyna pleads for Cassian to leave to prevent further conflict. Despite her desperation, Gemma remains resolute, mocking Reyna’s attempts at forgiveness and refusing to apologize for her actions. Cassian’s insistence that Gemma should calm down and apologize only fuels her anger. She adamantly refuses, declaring that she will never apologize to Reyna and threatening her if she approaches her grandfather again.
The chapter concludes with Gemma storming out of the hospital room, her heart racing with a mix of defiance and unresolved emotions. She feels a sense of betrayal and frustration, not only towards Reyna but also towards Cassian for his attempts to mediate. The scene captures the complexity of their relationships, highlighting Gemma’s fierce protectiveness over her grandfather and her unwillingness to back down in the face of perceived threats.
**Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest 162**
**Chapter 162**
**Gemma’s POV**
Her expression shifts from shock to a desperate attempt at innocence, but before she can mask her surprise, I deliver a sharp slap to the other side of her face. The sound rings through the sterile air of the hospital room, echoing the tension that hangs between us.
I tower over her, my gaze icy and unwavering. “If you ever think about meddling with Grandpa’s health again, you will come to understand just how merciful this slap truly was.”
Reyna’s hand flies to her cheek, her eyes wide with disbelief, a mix of hurt and indignation swirling in them.
Cassian steps in closely behind me, his presence a solid wall as he pulls me away from Reyna, positioning himself protectively at my side. I can feel the weight of his stare, heavy with a multitude of unasked questions, yet it is Reyna’s tears that fall, perfectly timed—her lips tremble, her eyes glisten with unshed emotion, and her voice quakes with a forced indignation.
“I already apologized! At the warehouse, remember? I said I was sorry a hundred times, yet you still punished me. I even promised to stay away from Cassian…”
“And yet here you are!” I interject, my voice cutting through her words like a knife. “You always find a way back, like a snake slithering through the cracks.”
She recoils, slipping into her all-too-familiar role of the victim, feigning innocence with practiced ease.
“But I didn’t force him to bring me here! So why are you slapping me now—”
“Don’t play these games with me.” My patience is thin, and I can feel the tension in my muscles, coiled and ready to snap.
Cassian interrupts, his grip tightening on my arm as he hisses under his breath. “Gemma. This is a hospital! Please, behave appropriately or…”
I whirl around, our eyes locking in a fierce exchange. His expression is weary, etched with concern and frustration.
“Oh, now you care about hospital rules?” I scoff, the sarcasm dripping from my words. “Is it only my responsibility to uphold decorum while everyone else runs wild, doing whatever they please?”
His jaw tightens, the dimple in his cheek appearing not from a smile, but from the tension of his scowl.
“Why do you keep speaking in riddles? If something happened, just say it.”
He doesn’t raise his voice—Cassian Blackwell never yells. His icy demeanor serves as punishment enough, chilling me to the core. I cast a glance at Reyna, knowing she’s ready to spin another sob story, and I’m exhausted by her theatrics. Why not give her a head start?
“If you truly want the truth, why don’t you ask your dear friend why Grandpa’s blood pressure spiked right after she visited?” I say, my voice laced with bitterness.
Cassian stiffens at my words, and I can’t help but add, “Or is it that you don’t want to hear the answer because you’ve already made up your mind?”
Reyna sways against the bedframe, her skin pallid, eyes darting between us like a deer caught in the crosshairs of two rifles.
With just one glance from Cassian, she stammers, “I just… I just went to see Mr. Blackwell when I found out he was admitted to the hospital. But he scolded me so harshly… Trust me, Gemma! I didn’t go there to make an impression. It’s just… I’ve known him for years. I really respect him. But I still remember my promise.”
She locks her gaze onto mine, her desperation palpable.
“Cassian, please… just go. I don’t want Gemma to get upset again, or I’ll have to face the consequences once more. Just go, and I won’t speak of it again or blame Gemma for what happened at the poolside. I promise, all is forgiven—”
I interrupt her with a loud, disbelieving laugh.
“Why? Haven’t you been insisting that you fell in all by yourself? I agree, you jumped in—so what’s there to forgive or forget? I don’t need the forgiveness of a sinner anyway.”
The air thickens with tension, an oppressive silence enveloping us. Reyna looks taken aback, and even Cassian’s brows twitch in surprise, but she quickly regains her composure.
“She… she’s right, Cassian. I slipped and fell by myself. Please don’t blame her for my clumsiness. And I’m not saying anything against Mr. Blackwell either—”
Cassian doesn’t look at her; his piercing blue eyes remain fixed on me. “I know.”
His calm demeanor is infuriating, and my head whips around in shock at the familiarity of this scene. “If he truly didn’t want someone there, he would make it known. And Gemma, when someone is actively defending you and clarifying things on your behalf, you don’t need to be needlessly aggressive. Just apologize for slapping her, and we can move past this.”
I stare at him, disbelief washing over me like a cold wave.
“Never.”
His frown deepens. “Gemma, she’s not blaming you anymore and is even speaking up for you. There’s no need for this aggression.”
“You can check the surveillance cameras if you want proof; I’ll wait. But I will never apologize to her. And you! If I see you near Grandpa again, there won’t be a warning for what I’ll do next.”
Without waiting for anyone’s response, I storm out of the room, my heart racing. If he truly wants the truth, he knows where to find it.
Let’s see if he actually does.
In the aftermath of the confrontation, the weight of unresolved emotions lingers heavily in the air. Gemma’s heart races as she storms out of the hospital room, leaving behind the tumultuous exchange that has laid bare the raw wounds of betrayal and loyalty. Each slap of her footsteps echoes her defiance, a fierce declaration that she will no longer allow Reyna’s manipulations to dictate her reality. In the silence that follows, Cassian’s unwavering gaze remains fixed on the door, a silent acknowledgment of the chaos that has erupted between them. The bond they share is tested, strained by the shadows of past grievances and the looming specter of mistrust. Gemma’s refusal to apologize is not just an act of rebellion; it is a desperate grasp at control in a world where she feels increasingly powerless.
As the rain begins to patter softly against the window, a gentle reminder of the cleansing it brings, Gemma’s heart softens slightly, contemplating the possibility of reconciliation. The storm inside her may rage on, but the warmth of understanding flickers faintly in the depths of her resolve. Cassian’s calm presence, despite the turmoil, offers a glimmer of hope that perhaps, beneath the layers of hurt and anger, there lies a path back to trust. Yet, the road ahead is fraught with challenges, and Gemma knows that she must confront her demons, not just for herself, but for the fragile threads that connect her to the people she loves. With each heartbeat, she realizes that healing is not just about vengeance but about the courage to face the truth, no matter how painful it may be.
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the upcoming chapter, tensions will reach a boiling point as Gemma grapples with the fallout of her explosive confrontation with Reyna. With her heart racing and emotions running high, she finds herself at a crossroads—will she continue to fight against the tide of her feelings, or will she finally confront the deeper issues that have been simmering beneath the surface? As Cassian’s unwavering support clashes with her fierce independence, the reader can expect a gripping exploration of loyalty, trust, and the fragile threads that bind them all together.
Moreover, the stakes are raised as secrets begin to unravel. Gemma’s determination to protect her grandfather will be put to the test, forcing her to confront not only Reyna’s intentions but also her own fears and insecurities. Will Cassian step up and uncover the truth behind the incidents that have plagued their family, or will his loyalty to Reyna cloud his judgment? As the narrative unfolds, the tension will escalate, and unexpected alliances may form, leaving Gemma questioning who she can truly trust in a world where every action has consequences. Prepare for a whirlwind of emotions as loyalties are tested and the past resurfaces with a vengeance, leading to a climax that will leave readers breathless and eager for more.
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