Chapter 170

In Chapter 170 of “Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth,” the story unfolds from Cassian’s perspective as he leaves a restaurant with Gemma. He feels a sense of relief but is immediately struck by the silence between them, which is heavy with unspoken words. Despite his efforts to engage her in conversation, Gemma remains distant and unresponsive, crossing her arms and avoiding eye contact. Cassian’s attempts to lighten the mood are met with indifference, leaving him frustrated and confused about her feelings.
As they decide to visit Cassian’s grandfather at the hospital, the atmosphere shifts. Grandpa’s warm reception contrasts sharply with Gemma’s cold demeanor towards Cassian. She shows genuine concern for her grandfather, which highlights the emotional distance between her and Cassian. While Grandpa tries to engage both of them, Cassian feels the weight of Gemma’s silence, feeling unappreciated for his efforts to support her. The scene is tense, with Cassian grappling with his emotions as he tries to understand Gemma’s behavior.
Switching to Gemma’s perspective, the narrative reveals her inner turmoil. She finds solace in a warm bath and plans to gift a book to Jace, symbolizing her gratitude. However, her tranquility is disrupted when Cassian enters the room, and their interaction quickly turns tense. Cassian’s dismissive attitude towards her interest in hacking ignites a spark of indignation within her. Their conversation escalates into a confrontation, revealing deep-seated frustrations about their relationship and Cassian’s perception of her abilities.
As the chapter progresses, the tension culminates in Gemma’s abrupt decision to sleep, emphasizing her desire to distance herself from Cassian. Despite his attempts to connect, she firmly states that her presence in his bed is solely due to her commitment to his grandfather, not affection for him. The chapter ends with Cassian receiving a call from Rhett, which hints at deeper issues involving Reyna, leaving Gemma feeling anxious and suspicious about the implications of Cassian’s late-night departure. This final moment encapsulates the emotional strain and unresolved tensions between the characters, setting the stage for further conflict.
**Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest**
**Chapter 170**
**Cassian’s POV**
Stepping out of the restaurant felt like shedding a heavy cloak that had weighed me down for far too long. Yet, as I walked beside Gemma, a troubling silence enveloped us. It struck me then—she hadn’t uttered a single word since we made our exit.
I wasn’t expecting a grand display of gratitude for enduring a lunch filled with her incessantly irritating aunt or for agreeing to help her cousin, but a simple thank-you would have been a welcome gesture.
I risk a glance at her, noting her arms crossed defensively, her chin angled toward the window as if I were a mere ghost.
Clearing my throat, I decide to break the icy atmosphere that had settled between us. “I think Kitty can join the company starting next week,” I offer, hoping to spark some kind of response.
A moment stretches into eternity before she merely shrugs, her demeanor suggesting boredom. “Good. Maybe she’ll fit in well. Not that I’ll know; I don’t even work there anymore.”
I let the silence stretch for a few more blocks, the tension thickening the air around us. Finally, I pull up at an intersection, the city lights flickering in the growing dusk. “Should we visit Grandpa first?” I suggest, trying to steer the conversation in a more familiar direction.
“Sure,” she replies, her voice flat, devoid of any enthusiasm.
Instead of heading toward the manor, I make a turn toward the hospital. The moment we enter, I can see Grandpa’s face light up, his spirits visibly lifted at our arrival. Gemma, suddenly animated, rushes to his side, fussing over him with far more words than she had spared for me all day.
“Grandpa! We’re just checking in on you before we head out tomorrow. Are you sure you’ll be alright?” she asks, her concern palpable.
“Yes, my dear,” Grandpa replies, but his critical gaze shifts to me. “Though I heard about the sudden flight delay…”
I glance at Gemma, expecting her to fill in the gaps, but she remains silent, her expression unreadable.
“We had lunch scheduled with Gemma’s relatives this afternoon,” I interject, trying to keep the conversation flowing.
“Ah, good then. And why are you sniffling?” Grandpa’s keen eyes catch the subtle emotion I’m trying to hide.
“Hm? It’s nothing,” I respond, my gaze fixated on Gemma, who has now settled on the far edge of the sofa, her legs crossed, her face a mask of indifference. Did she truly not notice my efforts to charm her today?
Meanwhile, Grandpa waves over a nurse. “Give him the herbal soup,” he commands, as if it were a matter of life and death.
“Grandpa, it’s not necessary—” I begin to protest, but he cuts me off.
“Of course it is! You’re leaving tomorrow, and you better not get sick before your wife even has a chance to enjoy herself.”
I take a sip of the concoction, grimacing as the bitter taste washes over me, each drop burning like a blend of crushed moss and regret steeped in murky water. Somehow, I manage to gulp it down in one go, but Gemma doesn’t even glance my way. After everything tonight, including postponing our honeymoon to accommodate her relatives, her demeanor remains as frosty as ever.
Setting the bowl down with a bit more force than intended, I can’t tear my gaze away from the way her lashes frame those inscrutable eyes. For the first time in ages, I realize I have no clue what she’s thinking. If she acknowledges my efforts, she certainly isn’t showing it. And if she cares, she’s hiding it better than anyone I’ve ever encountered.
—
**Gemma’s POV**
A warm bath envelops me like a comforting embrace, instantly lifting my spirits as I curl up on the armchair, flipping through the pages of a new book.
I plan to gift this copy to Jace, a small token of my appreciation—not just for everything he’s done for me, but also for agreeing to hold down the fort for two whole weeks while Cassian and I escape to Nassau. He deserves more than a simple thank-you text; he deserves something meaningful.
My thoughts scatter like leaves in the wind the moment the bathroom door swings open, and Cassian steps out. A towel drapes casually over his shoulder while another one is in hand, his hair damp as he rubs it vigorously.
His skin glows with a flush from the hot water, the muscles of his torso flexing with each movement. He’s clad only in a pair of black sweatpants, hanging low on his hips, the waistband glistening with droplets of water cascading down his chest.
Every inch of him radiates trouble… a kind of trouble I know all too well.
Damn it.
I quickly avert my gaze, but he catches my eye. “What are you reading?” he asks, curiosity piquing in his tone.
Before I can formulate a response, he squints at the book cover. “Python? Since when are you into computer stuff?”
A smirk tugs at my lips, amused by his surprise. “I thought it was time for a change. Maybe I’ll pick up coding and become a legendary hacker… something like, Moonlight 2.0?”
“Hacking?” he repeats, a note of disdain creeping into his voice. “You could aim for something more worthwhile than that. Hacking is just shady, and there are far better ways to utilize your brain than poking around in people’s private systems.”
His words sting, igniting a spark of indignation within me. Sure, hacking exists in a grey area ethically, but I take pride in my skills—it’s what has kept me afloat for so long.
“Really? You mean like the hacker you hired, Moonlight? Or is it only shady when someone else does it?” I challenge, my voice sharper than intended.
“No, it’s still shady, but people like Moonlight exist because people like me pay them to do the dirty work instead of having to get my hands dirty myself. That’s all!”
I stare at him, the bitter taste of his words settling heavily on my tongue. Is that all I am to him? A convenient tool to handle his messes so he can remain unblemished?
I slam the book shut, frustration boiling over as I place it on the nightstand. “Got it.”
“Gemma, what—”
“I’m going to sleep,” I cut him off, flipping the light switch without sparing him a glance as I slide beneath the covers.
I feel the mattress dip behind me as he climbs into bed, and seconds later, his warm breath fans against my neck. He brushes his fingers down my arm, sending shivers racing across my skin. “Gemma…” he murmurs, his voice low and intimate.
But I summon every ounce of resolve to shift away from him, pulling the comforter tighter around myself. “I want to sleep early. We have to get up at six and leave for the airport.”
He exhales softly, though I can’t decipher whether it’s amusement or annoyance. “We still have a few hours before the flight… and you don’t have to worry about a wake-up call—”
“I do, because I agreed to travel with you because of your grandfather,” I reply, my voice firm.
I grit my teeth, adding, “That’s the only reason I’m in this bed, Cassian. Don’t mistake my proximity for any sort of affection.”
He leans back slowly, and I almost regret the loss of his warmth. Silence envelops us, stretching on until his phone buzzes on the nightstand, breaking the quiet.
“Rhett? What is it?” His voice carries an edge of concern.
I can only hear his side of the conversation, clipped and low.
“What do you mean she’s still up there?”
“At this hour?”
“Okay, I’ll be there.”
He throws on a shirt and rises from the bed. “I have to go.”
“Where?” I ask, turning on the light, the sudden brightness illuminating both our faces.
He hesitates, the tension palpable.
“Rhett called; he needs my help—”
“At midnight? Are you going to defend him from robbers? Be honest with me, Cassian!”
I snap, the weight of three years of silence pressing heavily on my chest.
“Tell me, or I’ll call Grandpa right now.”
“Actually, he… um…”
My eyes narrow, suspicion creeping in. “It’s about Reyna, isn’t it?”
He freezes, and that’s all the confirmation I need.
“What is it this time?”
“She’s… on the rooftop of a bar, too drunk to talk sense. She won’t come down…”
“Until she sees your face, am I right?” I finish for him, my heart racing as the reality of the situation sinks in.
As the evening unfolds, the weight of unspoken words and unresolved tensions between Cassian and Gemma hangs in the air like a storm cloud, threatening to burst. Each interaction is fraught with layers of emotion that neither seems willing to fully confront. Cassian’s attempts to bridge the divide, whether through casual conversation or gestures of care, meet with Gemma’s icy reticence. The warmth he seeks from her remains elusive, leaving him to grapple with a sense of isolation even in her presence. Yet, as they navigate the complexities of their relationship, the flicker of hope persists—especially in the way Gemma’s demeanor shifts when they visit her grandfather. In his presence, she sheds her defensive exterior, revealing the depth of her love and concern, hinting at the possibility that beneath the surface, she is still very much invested in their connection.
In the final moments of the chapter, as Cassian prepares to leave for a situation that weighs heavily on both their hearts, the tension reaches a breaking point. Gemma’s fierce determination to understand his motives reflects her own fears and insecurities, while Cassian’s struggle to balance loyalty to his family with his commitment to Gemma unveils the intricate dance of love and obligation. The night is charged with unspoken feelings, and as Cassian steps out into the night, the air crackles with unresolved emotions. Their journey is far from over; the path ahead may be fraught with challenges, but the flickering embers of their bond suggest that with honesty and vulnerability, they may yet find their way back to each other, rekindling the warmth that once defined their relationship.
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension between Cassian and Gemma reaches a boiling point, readers can anticipate a deep dive into their complex relationship. With the impending trip to Nassau looming, the stakes are higher than ever. Will Cassian’s unresolved feelings for Reyna complicate his already strained connection with Gemma? The emotional fallout from his late-night escapade is sure to spark a confrontation that could either bridge the growing chasm between them or push them further apart. As secrets unravel and truths come to light, expect a whirlwind of emotions that will challenge their bond and force them to confront their feelings head-on.
Moreover, the appearance of Reyna adds an unpredictable element to the narrative. Will her presence reignite past conflicts, or will it serve as a catalyst for Cassian and Gemma to finally lay their cards on the table? As they navigate through the chaos of their intertwined lives, readers should brace themselves for unexpected revelations, heart-wrenching decisions, and the possibility of new beginnings. With the tension crackling like electricity, the next chapter promises to be a pivotal moment in their journey—one that could redefine their future together or tear them apart irrevocably.
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