Chapter 173
In Chapter 172-2 of “Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth,” Gemma finds herself reminiscing about her college days as she shares a meal with Jace at a familiar food stall. The warm atmosphere, filled with the scent of garlic and chili oil, evokes a sense of nostalgia. Their conversation reflects the past, with playful mentions of their friend Zina’s ambitions, creating a light-hearted mood. However, the comfort of their surroundings quickly shifts as Gemma inadvertently brings up a troubling incident involving Revna, revealing underlying tensions.
As they discuss work, Gemma expresses concern over a client’s data, but Jace’s calm demeanor suggests he may be hiding something deeper. His impressive coding skills come to light as he quickly hacks into a defense network, impressing Gemma but also reminding her of her own decline in confidence. Jace’s advice to embrace her identity as “Moonlight” resonates with her, prompting a moment of introspection about her past self. The playful banter continues, but a sudden shift occurs when Jace reveals he has never been in a relationship, leaving Gemma feeling guilty for prying into his insecurities.
The atmosphere turns tense when Gemma receives repeated calls from Cassian, which she chooses to ignore. This decision hangs heavily over her, especially as Jace’s concern for her is palpable. Their evening takes a dramatic turn when Cassian arrives unexpectedly, creating a stark contrast to the warm connection Gemma and Jace had been sharing. Cassian’s aggressive demeanor and possessive grip on Gemma’s wrist heighten the tension, leaving her feeling trapped between her past and present, and questioning her choices.
Overall, the chapter weaves together themes of nostalgia, self-discovery, and the complexities of relationships. Gemma grapples with her identity and the weight of her past, while also navigating the emerging feelings she has for Jace. The arrival of Cassian serves as a catalyst for conflict, forcing Gemma to confront her emotions and the implications of her interactions with both men. The chapter ends on an unresolved note, leaving readers eager to see how Gemma will navigate this turbulent emotional landscape.
Chapter 172-2
Gemma’s POV
The familiar scent of sizzling garlic and chili oil makes the place warm and inviting as ever, as we take our seats at the wobbly plastic table.
The plastic stools creak under our weight, and the neon sign above casts erratic shadows over Jace’s sharp profile. It feels like college again, when life was so much simpler.
Jace tears open the wrapper of his disposable chopsticks, offering me one.
“This stall hasn’t changed at all…”
I smile faintly, dipping a dumpling into the soy sauce.
“Yeah, we used to come here after pulling all–nighters… and Zina would always announce her plans to open up a competing spot across the road!”
“Shh, you’ll summon her again.”
I laugh, and we eat in silence for a few minutes before I break it, bringing up the rooftop mess without thinking.
1/6
16:53
“That roofton tonight… with Revna. That wasn’t just bad luck.