Chapter 17

In Chapter 17 of “Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth,” Gemma receives a call from Donovan, her grandfather, who expresses his unwavering affection and concern for her well-being. Despite his warmth, Gemma feels the weight of his expectations regarding her inability to conceive a child with Cassian, his grandson. Donovan informs her about a new supplement he believes will help her conceive, which adds to her anxiety, as she grapples with the reality of her strained marriage and Cassian’s reluctance to have children. Torn between honesty and protecting Donovan’s feelings, she reluctantly agrees to meet him.
As Gemma prepares to meet Donovan, she directs her driver to the house she once shared with Cassian, hoping to avoid an encounter with him. However, fate intervenes, and Cassian arrives home just before Donovan. Caught off guard, Gemma stands at the gate, her heart racing, while Cassian expresses a mix of irritation and forgiveness, assuming she has come to apologize for her earlier outbursts. Their conversation quickly escalates into a confrontation, revealing underlying tensions and misunderstandings.
Cassian’s dismissive attitude towards Gemma’s feelings, particularly regarding Reyna, ignites her anger, showcasing her strength and passion. Despite the emotional turmoil, there’s an undeniable chemistry between them, as Cassian finds himself intrigued by her fury. However, the moment is fleeting, as Gemma quickly retreats into her more vulnerable self, revealing the complexities of their relationship. The chapter ends with a climactic moment, as both characters are momentarily blinded by the headlights of an approaching vehicle, symbolizing the uncertainty and tension that looms over their interactions.
**Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest**
**Chapter 17**
**Gemma**
“Gemma,” Donovan’s voice resonates through the line, rich and deep like a warm blanket on a chilly night. Despite his age, it carries an undeniable authority that wraps around me, even from a distance.
“Good evening, Mr. Blackwell,” I respond, trying to maintain a semblance of formality.
He chuckles softly, a sound that feels like sunshine breaking through clouds. “None of that, my girl. You know to call me Grandpa. Now, tell me, did I disturb your rest?”
It’s impossible for me to shield myself from the affection that flows from Donovan’s words. Perhaps it’s because, aside from my mother, he is the only person who has ever spoken to me with such kindness and warmth.
I still struggle to reconcile this gentle man with the one who cornered me into marrying his grandson.
“No, I’m awake,” I reply, curling my knees up to my chest in the back seat of the car, watching the city lights flicker by like stars falling from the sky. “Is something wrong?”
“No, no, nothing like that. I’ve just been in conversation with a new doctor, someone who specializes in infertility. He’s quite knowledgeable about the various treatments and medications available.”
A sinking feeling settles in my stomach as I hear his words. I know exactly where this conversation is headed.
“I’ve obtained another supplement for you to try. I’m on my way to drop it off personally. This time, I’m certain you’ll conceive,” he assures me with a confidence that feels heavy.
I bite my lip, the taste of anxiety flooding my senses. Donovan’s desire for an heir from Cassian is palpable, and after three long years without a child, he assumes the issue lies with me. The thought is suffocating.
I can’t bring myself to tell him the truth: that Cassian has steadfastly refused to engage with me in that way—or at least, he did until recently. Maintaining this facade means swallowing all the potions, pills, and remedies Donovan insists I try.
Should I finally rip off the band-aid and reveal the truth about Cassian’s unwillingness to have children, about the impending divorce? But how can I bear to disappoint one of the two people in this world who genuinely love me?
“Okay,” I finally say, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll see you there.”
After we hang up, I instruct the driver to change course, directing him toward the house I once shared with Cassian.
“Please wait for me in that shadowed alley,” I request, my heart racing. If I play this right, Cassian will remain oblivious to my presence, and I can slip back to Zina’s apartment and still manage to catch a few hours of sleep.
But fate has other plans; Cassian arrives home just before Donovan does.
With nowhere to conceal myself, I stand awkwardly by the gate, my heart pounding as he pulls up in his car.
**Cassian**
I wish I could say I’m shocked to see Gemma standing there when I pull up to the gate, but the truth is, I’m not even slightly surprised.
The little rabbit has grown weary of her game. She didn’t last three weeks before returning to me.
I can only assume she’s here to apologize for her ridiculous outbursts over the past few days.
Lucky for her, I’m feeling rather forgiving today.
Rolling down the window as I stop beside her, I say, “You can go inside, but don’t let this happen again. Next time, I won’t be so lenient.”
A flash of confusion crosses her beautiful features, quickly replaced by a furrow of anger as she steps closer to the car. “You have some nerve, you know that?” she retorts, her voice rising.
I frown, irritation bubbling up inside me. “As I said, Gemma, I’m not holding it against you. What are you complaining about now?”
But I already know the answer. “Is this still about Reyna?”
I pinch the bridge of my nose, exasperated. “Reyna is a skilled businesswoman. She knows the ins and outs of the criminal underworld and the family politics. Stop being jealous of her accomplishments and get over yourself.”
I’ve never seen such pure rage flash in Gemma’s eyes. Her hands clench into fists, and I can sense her about to unleash a torrent of words.
Why does the thought of her anger intrigue me?
Why does the power she radiates in her fury ignite something deep within me? When she’s like this, there’s a fire in her eyes, and an energy that swirls around her, making her feel almost otherworldly.
She transforms from a mere mortal into a goddess in that moment.
But then, just as quickly, she pulls back, the fierce force dissipating, and she becomes the little rabbit once more. Looking away, she says, “I don’t care about Reyna. Didn’t Ferne tell you? I don’t work for you anymore.”
I’m taken aback, my surprise evident as if she had suddenly lunged at me.
“What do you mean you don’t work for me?”
She throws her hands up in frustration, exasperated. “Cassian, did you even notice I didn’t attend your ridiculous meeting?!”
“You were throwing a tantrum,” I counter, pushing the car door open.
“And you—”
Before she can finish her sentence, we are both blinded by the bright, glaring headlights of an oncoming vehicle, illuminating the tension between us.
As the headlights fade, so does the tension that has hung between Gemma and Cassian like a thick fog. In that moment, both are forced to confront the reality of their fractured relationship, the misunderstandings that have accumulated like dust on a forgotten shelf. Gemma, once the submissive partner, stands firm, her anger a testament to her growth and resilience. Cassian, caught off guard by her newfound strength, begins to see her not just as a possession but as a force to be reckoned with. The emotional distance that had plagued their marriage seems to shrink, replaced by a flicker of understanding that perhaps their struggles stem from the silence and unspoken truths that have lingered too long.
With Donovan’s hopeful expectations weighing heavily on Gemma’s heart, she realizes that her journey is not just about fulfilling the role of a wife or a potential mother, but about reclaiming her voice and agency. The warmth of her grandfather’s affection contrasts sharply with the coldness of her current reality, pushing her to make a choice. As she stands before Cassian, the realization dawns that she can no longer hide behind the facade of compliance. The confrontation serves as a catalyst for both of them, igniting a possibility for healing and transformation. In this pivotal moment, as the rain begins to fall softly around them, the promise of renewal hangs in the air, suggesting that even the deepest wounds can mend when faced with honesty and courage.
In the next chapter, readers can expect the simmering tension between Gemma and Cassian to reach a boiling point. With their unresolved feelings and the weight of their past hanging heavily in the air, the confrontation is bound to escalate. Will Gemma finally summon the courage to reveal the truth about her situation and the impending divorce, or will she retreat back into the shadows of her facade? The unexpected arrival of Donovan adds another layer of complexity to their already fraught relationship, as his unwavering belief in Gemma’s ability to conceive may force her to confront her own desires and fears.
As the headlights of the oncoming vehicle pierce through the night, the moment is ripe for revelation. Will this encounter serve as a catalyst for change, pushing Gemma to embrace her independence and break free from the expectations that have suffocated her for so long? Or will Cassian’s presence and the weight of their shared history pull her back into the familiar patterns of their tumultuous relationship? The stakes are high, and the emotional fallout promises to be explosive. Readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eager to discover how this pivotal moment will redefine their journey and what choices they will ultimately make.
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