Chapter 168

In Chapter 168 of “Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth,” Gemma navigates the chaotic atmosphere of a hospital lobby, her anxiety palpable as she approaches her mother, who is engaged in conversation with Aunty Lydia. Gemma’s heart races as she prepares to deliver a delicate message, mindful of the need to avoid accusations while warning her mother. Upon entering the ward, Gemma is greeted with warmth from her mother, but the tension escalates when Aunty Lydia begins to pry into Gemma’s marital life, questioning the absence of her husband, Cassian, and making condescending remarks about his status.
Gemma feels a surge of protectiveness for Cassian as Lydia’s judgmental comments about his career and their relationship intensify. Despite the discomfort, her mother remains blissfully unaware, praising Cassian’s good manners and upbringing, which surprises Lydia when she learns he belongs to a mafia family. The conversation shifts to Gemma’s cousin Kitty, who is introduced with a sense of entitlement, and Lydia attempts to leverage Gemma’s connection to Cassian for Kitty’s career advancement. Gemma firmly refuses to entertain this idea, asserting that Kitty must follow the formal application process, which visibly dismays Lydia.
As the pressure mounts, Gemma struggles with her mother’s desire for family connection and Lydia’s opportunistic behavior. When Lydia invites Cassian to join them for lunch, Gemma feels cornered but tries to deflect the invitation by reminding her mother of their planned vacation. However, her mother insists on the importance of family, leading Gemma to reluctantly agree to contact Cassian. In an unexpected turn of events, Lydia seizes the phone and invites Cassian herself, to Gemma’s shock and dismay.
To Gemma’s astonishment, Cassian agrees to attend the lunch, even postponing their flight. This decision leaves Gemma in disbelief, as Cassian typically avoids family gatherings. The chapter closes with Gemma grappling with the implications of his unexpected compliance, questioning his recent behavior and what it might mean for their relationship. The emotional weight of the moment highlights Gemma’s internal conflict between familial obligations and her protective instincts for her marriage, setting the stage for further developments in their complicated dynamics.
**Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest**
**Chapter 168**
**Gemma’s POV**
As the clock approached 11:25, I found myself darting through the bustling hospital lobby, gripping the strap of my bag with a fierceness that mirrored my fraying nerves. Each hurried step echoed the frantic rhythm of my heart, and I could feel the weight of anxiety pressing down on me.
In my mind, I replayed the words I needed to say, trying to strike the perfect balance between courtesy and caution. I had to warn Mom without making it sound like I was throwing accusations. But just as I rounded the corner near her ward, laughter and muffled voices reached my ears, halting me in my tracks.
“Oh! Gemma is married and happily settled,” I heard Mom exclaim, her tone radiating pride. I took a deep breath and stepped inside without knocking, and the moment her eyes landed on me, her face lit up like a beacon.
“Gemma!” she exclaimed, her warmth wrapping around me like a comforting blanket.
“Hi, Mum! Hello, Aunty Lydia. It’s been quite a while… mm, I think this is the first time we’re meeting since Dad’s funeral, right?” I said, my voice steady despite the undercurrent of tension.
Lydia’s smile faltered for just a moment, a flicker of understanding passing between us that made the air feel thick with unspoken words.
“Right! Right, your memory is as sharp as ever,” she replied, her tone a little too bright, as if trying to smooth over the discomfort.
There was a brief flash of unease on her face, but she quickly masked it, glancing behind me as if she expected Cassian to emerge from the shadows.
“But why did you come alone, darling? Where’s the husband your mom was just raving about? Or have you tired of each other already?” she asked, her voice dripping with a mixture of curiosity and judgment.
“He’s busy, Aunty. I could only make it on such short notice,” I replied, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes.
Lydia clicked her tongue, a sound of disapproval. “I understand, dear. What does he do again? Your mom mentioned something about a business?”
I rolled my eyes subtly, knowing she wouldn’t catch it as she took my hand in hers, patting it between her clammy palms.
“Sweetie, I had plans to introduce you to some nice boys, but I just found out…” she sighed dramatically, as if mourning a lost opportunity.
“But honestly, you could’ve aimed a little higher. A girl with your looks, even in your situation, should’ve landed at least a mid-tier heir,” she added, her words laced with a condescending tone.
“I’d say he does just fine,” I replied, feeling a surge of protectiveness for Cassian.
“Oh, I’m sure!” she waved her hand dismissively, as if swatting away a pesky fly. “But really, a man who can’t even spare time to meet his wife’s important relatives? What does that say about his priorities?”
“Thank you for your concern, Aunty, but it’s really not necessary. He makes time for all my important guests,” I shot back, my voice sharper than intended.
The dart landed precisely where I aimed, and for a fleeting moment, I saw her lips twitch with irritation. Yet, Mom remained blissfully unaware, her expression fond as she chimed in.
“She’s right. Cassian is genuinely polite and well-mannered. Despite being raised as the heir to one of the largest mafia families, he always shows thoughtfulness towards our family.”
“Mafia?!” Lydia exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise.
Well, it was too late to stuff that cat back in the bag.
“Yes, my son-in-law’s name is Cassian Blackwell,” I confirmed, the name hanging in the air like a loaded gun.
“Bla-Blackwell? The Blackwells?” she stammered, her shock palpable.
Even her daughter, who had been engrossed in her phone the entire time, looked up with newfound interest.
“Won’t you say hello to your cousin, Kitty?” Lydia nudged her daughter’s shoulder urgently.
Kitty’s indifferent green eyes scanned my unstyled hair, plain cotton shirt, and bare face with a hint of disdain. She wrinkled her nose and muttered, “Hi.”
“Kitty! Greet her properly. Is this how you introduce yourself?” Lydia chastised, her voice sharp.
“Hello, I’m Kitty Bravard. It’s nice to meet you. I’m a senior at North Ketter University,” she said flatly, without even meeting my gaze.
I studied her, recalling only vague memories from family dinners long past. She had transformed into a tall, striking young woman, and Lydia seized the opportunity to boast.
“Kitty already secured an internship at LeClair Finance. But I told her, why waste time with mid-tier firms when family could provide real experience? Everyone says she’s got great leadership potential…”
She continued to circle around the point, but I refused to take the bait. Finally, Lydia shifted tactics, going for a more direct approach.
“Oh! An idea just clicked in my mind, Gemma! Since your husband owns such a successful business, maybe Kitty could gain some experience there? A small internship to get her started…”
I leaned back slightly, not wanting to engage with these opportunistic leeches.
“My husband runs a company to generate profits, not to fill the ranks. If Kitty wants to apply, she can go through the formal process, just like everyone else,” I stated firmly.
Lydia’s eyes widened in horror. “Oh. I didn’t mean to suggest—”
I smiled, the chill in my expression matching the frost in my words. “Of course, I understand. With her talents, I’m sure she’ll clear the rounds easily. Wait, actually! I can help you out with one thing and give you the address of the IR office.”
Kitty’s mouth tightened at that, and Lydia’s tone turned overly sweet. “Sure, dear, we’d be grateful. But we should have a proper meal first. How about lunch this afternoon? You can bring Cassian along; I would love to meet him properly.”
Of course, she would love that. What else would a clout chaser want?
I took a slow, deliberate breath, glancing at Mom, whose hopeful eyes beseeched me. I knew I couldn’t refuse the offer outright; a direct rejection would shatter her heart. She had always been sentimental about family, still considering Lydia a “good sister” despite the years of silence and convenient absences.
I forced a smile, though it felt tight on my face. “Actually, Mom, did you forget? We’re flying out for our vacation this afternoon.”
“Oh, Gemma! Don’t be so standoffish; one lunch won’t delay your flight,” Mom insisted, her voice rising slightly in urgency.
Lydia wore a poisonous smile, and Mom rushed to mend the situation. “No, no, Lydia, she’s not being rude. They had planned a holiday, but it’s okay; I’ll request Cassian myself. Okay, honey?”
She patted my hand brightly. “After all, it’s not every day that there’s an invitation from our side, right?”
I didn’t argue; there was no point. Instead, I pulled out my phone, steeling myself for what was to come.
“Don’t worry, Mom, I’ll talk to him myself.”
I didn’t expect him to pick up, and even if he did, I doubted he would agree. He had always been indifferent to my relatives at best—rude at worst—and I was counting on the latter this time.
“Gemma?” His smooth voice broke through the static of my thoughts.
I hadn’t even managed to utter a word when Lydia snatched the phone from my hand, her excitement palpable.
“Oh, let me speak to him. Cassian? Hello, dear! This is Lydia, Gemma’s aunt. I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time? We’d be honored if you could join us for a small family lunch in an hour. Yes, yes, very informal: just us and your lovely wife.”
I braced myself for his inevitable refusal. He had plans, after all.
But to my astonishment, Lydia’s face brightened with joy.
“Oh, really? That’s wonderful!”
What?
She pulled the phone away from her ear and handed it back to me, a smug smile dancing on her lips. “See! I told you he’d agree to come.”
I took the phone, pressing it back to my ear, stunned into silence. “Hello, Cassian?”
His voice was calm and steady. “Yeah, I’ll meet you there directly. Just text me the place and time; I’ll be there. Alright?”
I stared ahead, feeling as though the world had suddenly shifted on its axis. “You’re sure? What about our flight today—”
“Yes, I’ll postpone the tickets to tomorrow instead.”
That was all he said before the line clicked dead.
What just happened?
Cassian never agrees to such things. He detests these kinds of gatherings and avoids the fake niceties of my family like the plague. And yet… hadn’t he been acting strangely lately?
In that moment, standing in the hospital lobby, I felt a wave of conflicting emotions wash over me. The warmth of my mother’s pride, the sharp edges of Lydia’s judgment, and the unexpected support from Cassian all collided within me, creating a whirlwind of uncertainty and hope. My heart raced not just from the anxiety of facing my family but also from the realization that perhaps Cassian was willing to step outside his comfort zone for me. This small act of his, choosing to attend a family lunch despite his disdain for such gatherings, hinted at a deeper commitment, a willingness to bridge the gap between our worlds. As I looked around at the familiar yet distant faces of my family, I felt the stirrings of a newfound strength within me—a determination to protect what I had built with Cassian, no matter the judgments or expectations that loomed over us.
With a deep breath, I steadied myself, ready to face whatever awaited at that lunch. I understood now that this was more than just a family gathering; it was a test of our bond and a chance to redefine what family meant to me. I could feel the gentle warmth of memories rushing back, reminding me of the love that had always been my anchor. I was no longer just Gemma, the daughter or the niece; I was Gemma Blackwell, a woman who had chosen her path and was determined to navigate it with grace and defiance. As I prepared to step into the fray, I realized that this was not just about confronting my past but also about embracing the future I wanted to create—with Cassian by my side.
In the upcoming chapter, readers can expect to delve deeper into the tangled web of family dynamics as Gemma prepares for the unexpected family lunch. With Cassian agreeing to join, the stakes have escalated significantly. Will he be able to navigate the treacherous waters of Gemma’s family, especially with Lydia’s keen eye for opportunity and Kitty’s indifferent demeanor? Tension will undoubtedly simmer beneath the surface as Gemma grapples with her protective instincts for Cassian while trying to maintain her composure amidst the probing questions and veiled judgments of her relatives.
Moreover, the chapter promises to explore the intricacies of Cassian’s character further. Why has he suddenly agreed to a gathering he typically shuns? Is there more to his recent behavior than meets the eye? As Gemma reflects on their relationship, readers will be left questioning the true nature of Cassian’s intentions and the implications of his presence at the lunch. Will he rise to the occasion and impress her family, or will his notorious reputation cast a shadow over the afternoon? As secrets and tensions threaten to unravel, the chapter will leave readers on the edge of their seats, eager to uncover what lies ahead for Gemma and Cassian in the face of familial scrutiny.
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