Chapter 178

In Chapter 177 of “Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth,” Gemma is awakened by the persistent buzzing of her phone, which leads to a reluctant confrontation with her husband, Cassian. Despite her desire to avoid an argument, her friend Zina urges her to answer the call, highlighting the tension in Gemma’s marriage. When Gemma finally picks up, Cassian’s authoritative tone and frustration about her well-being further exacerbate her feelings of suffocation within their relationship. Zina’s protective instincts kick in, and she takes the phone from Gemma, fiercely defending her friend against Cassian’s accusations, revealing the deep-seated issues in their marriage.
As Zina chastises Cassian for his hypocritical behavior, Gemma feels both exasperated and comforted by her friend’s support. Zina’s passionate outburst reflects Gemma’s own frustrations, as she grapples with the reality of her strained relationship. After Zina hangs up, she offers Gemma a warm embrace, providing a moment of solace amidst the chaos. This scene underscores the emotional turmoil Gemma faces as she navigates her feelings of isolation and frustration with Cassian’s behavior.
In a parallel perspective, Cassian reflects on the situation, realizing that Gemma has sought refuge in Zina’s room rather than face him. His internal struggle reveals his growing awareness of the cracks in their relationship, particularly as he recalls the moment with Reyna, a reminder of his own neglect. As he grapples with the implications of Gemma’s departure, he feels a cold knot of anxiety, recognizing that she prefers to hide away from him rather than confront their issues. This realization deepens the emotional conflict, as Cassian confronts the reality of his actions and their impact on Gemma.
The chapter culminates with a moment of light-heartedness between Gemma and Zina, as they share a laugh amidst the tension of the night. Their camaraderie provides a brief respite from the underlying issues, but the sudden knock at the door disrupts their tranquility. The arrival of hotel security introduces an unexpected element of tension, leaving Gemma and Zina apprehensive about what comes next. This interruption serves as a metaphor for the unresolved conflicts in Gemma’s life, suggesting that external pressures reflect the internal struggles she faces in her marriage.
**Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth**
**by Eli Dane Crest**
**Chapter 177**
**Gemma’s POV**
The incessant buzzing of my phone on the nightstand jolts me from my half-slumber. I roll over with a groan, burying my face deeper into the soft embrace of my pillow. There’s absolutely no way I’m dealing with him right now.
“Are you really going to ignore that?”
Zina’s voice drips with a lazy curiosity, but I can feel her eyes boring into me, assessing my every move.
“Not a chance!”
I tug the blanket up over my head, cocooning myself in its warmth. “I’m going to pretend it’s broken until my ears stop working.”
She tilts her head, a smirk playing on her lips as if she’s trying to soothe a cranky child.
“Gemma, you do realize he’ll just keep calling, right? And that means our entire night is going to be wrecked.”
“I just want to sleep without having to engage in another argument…”
I mumble into the pillow, feeling the weight of exhaustion pressing down on me.
Zina nudges my shoulder gently, her tone shifting to one of mild urgency. “Come on, babe. Just answer it, okay? Just so he’ll stop making that awful noise?”
I know Zina could sleep through a marching band parade, so I can’t fathom why she’s so eager to side with him. It’s beyond me.
With a final, reluctant sigh, I reach for the phone, swiping the screen to answer. “What is it?”
His voice cuts through the air like a knife.
“If my wife is still feeling suffocated, it would be prudent for us to consult a doctor, rather than allowing you to wander around at midnight! How can I monitor your illness when you keep ignoring my calls?”
His tone is a perfect blend of authority and irritation, and it makes my teeth clench in frustration. I open my mouth to respond, but Zina catches enough of his tone to shift her mood dramatically.
Before I can react, she snatches the phone from my grasp, her indignation palpable.
“Wow. Unbelievable, Mr. Blackwell!”
She doesn’t even take a moment to breathe.
“I think you should be the one seeking a doctor for amnesia because it’s clear you only remember she’s your wife when it’s convenient for you.”
I reach for the phone, but she braces her elbow against my ribs, continuing her tirade without missing a beat.
“Moreover, you seem to have forgotten that being a husband means considering your wife’s comfort before inviting strangers into your honeymoon suite.”
I press my palm to my face, exasperated, but Zina is on a roll now, her words firing off like cannonballs.
“How dare you? You can parade whoever you want around, and then scold her for stepping out? How dare you be this hypocritical? And an arrogant one at that?”
There’s a heavy pause, and Zina finally declares, “Good talk, Cassian. Don’t bother calling again until you’ve figured out what it actually means to be a husband.”
Zina jabs the end button with unnecessary force, flinging the phone back onto the nightstand. Then, without warning, she envelops me in a bear hug, her arms locking around me like a warm, human straitjacket.
“No more calls, okay? I’m sorry.”
She murmurs while nuzzling into my hair, and I can’t help but laugh despite the tension, as she squeezes me tighter.
**Cassian’s POV**
I lower the phone from my ear, my jaw tightening as the weight of reality settles in. So, she wasn’t in the mood for a stroll, of course not. I should have grasped that at the moment.
Gemma had fled to her friend’s room simply because Reyna was occupying our bathroom.
I exhale sharply through my nose, letting the phone drop onto the table beside me.
The irony is striking; I hadn’t even realized Reyna was stepping out of line until thirty minutes after Gemma had left.
I was buried in a report when Reyna finally emerged from the bathroom, the scent of her perfume wafting through the air before I even laid eyes on her.
She was clad in a sheer silk robe, her hair damp and cascading down her collarbones.
I was immersed in the files Liam had sent over, assuming she would find her way out of the suite, until she suddenly staggered.
“Are you alright?”
I asked, rising to my feet as she braced herself against the wall.
She nodded slowly, a hand pressed to her temple. “I’m just a little lightheaded… I—I think I need to lie down for a minute.”
I remained still, watching her. Her voice was sweet but slurred, and strangely enough, my concern was overshadowed by a different thought: she seemed intent on staying the night.
I stepped closer, extending my arm toward her. “You should definitely get some rest, but it’s better to lie down on your own bed. That way you won’t feel hesitant and can truly relax.”
“Cassian—”
“Goodnight, Reyna. I’ll start preparing for bed too; it’s getting quite late.”
She blinked at me, her lips parting in surprise, but I opened the door, waiting patiently until she slipped through before locking it behind her.
Since then, I’ve been at my desk, files still open on my laptop, but my eyes darting to the clock every few minutes.
But Gemma isn’t here. Now I finally realize where she went. Or rather, where she felt compelled to run off to.
I drag a hand through my hair, pushing away from the desk as a cold knot forms in my chest.
She would rather hide away in another room than share this one with me? The clock ticks past midnight, a cruel reminder that it’s been over an hour since she left.
**Gemma’s POV**
Our limbs are intertwined beneath the soft comforter, and although neither of us has succumbed to sleep yet, the room exudes an air of tranquility.
The gentle murmur of the sea drifts in from just beyond the balcony doors.
“I can barely breathe!” I mumble, tugging Zina’s curly hair away from my face. “I forgot how suffocating you can be, all while claiming you’re claustrophobic!”
Zina snorts, draping her arm across my stomach.
“God, don’t even get me started! I still blame your jerk of a husband for stealing my best cuddle partner away.”
“Hey!” I twist to face her. “I know you’re not fond of him, but this time your own bedroom isn’t empty, even when I’m available for cuddles, hypothetically speaking.”
She falls silent for a moment, her expression contemplative. “Okay, okay, I’ll accept some of the blame.”
I roll over, pinning her with a teasing look. “At least let me meet the one who’s taking my place. Or is he just a figment of your imagination? Should I stage an intervention for you?”
Zina goes quiet again, her gaze distant. “I wasn’t trying to keep it a secret… it’s just been kind of new and complicated.”
“Seriously? You’ve witnessed the entire soap opera of my marriage, and you think I’ll judge you?”
“Fine! When we’re back home, you can meet him. But no grilling, no interrogation—”
Knock! Knock!
I hadn’t realized how unsettling a simple knock could be until tonight, and the sound echoes through the room again.
Our hearts begin to race as a muffled voice follows.
“Sorry ma’am! It’s the hotel security, inspecting for potential hazards.”
Zina and I exchange a glance, a mix of apprehension and surprise on our faces.
In the quiet aftermath of the confrontation with Cassian and the unexpected knock from hotel security, a fragile peace settles over Gemma and Zina. Wrapped in the comfort of their friendship, Gemma finds solace in Zina’s unwavering support, allowing her to momentarily forget the chaos that looms outside their sanctuary. The laughter they share, even amidst the tension, serves as a reminder of the strength that comes from connection. Gemma’s heart, still heavy with the weight of her marital struggles, begins to lighten as she realizes that she is not alone in this fight. Zina’s presence is a balm, a gentle reminder that love can take many forms and that sometimes, the fiercest advocates come not from blood but from choice.
On the other side of the door, Cassian grapples with the consequences of his actions, the realization that his neglect has pushed Gemma away weighing heavily on him. As he reflects on the evening’s events, a flicker of understanding ignites within him; he must confront the distance that has grown between them and the role he has played in it. The night, once filled with misunderstandings and hurt, now offers a chance for redemption. With the echoes of Zina’s fierce defense of Gemma ringing in his ears, Cassian resolves to seek a path back to his wife, to truly understand what it means to be a partner. In this moment of clarity, the rain that once felt oppressive now promises renewal, a chance to wash away the misunderstandings and rebuild the connection they both desperately need.
In the next chapter, readers can expect the tension between Gemma and Cassian to escalate as the repercussions of Zina’s bold confrontation begin to unfold. With the hotel security’s unexpected intrusion, the fragile peace Gemma has found in Zina’s company will be tested. Will this interruption serve as a catalyst for Gemma to confront her feelings about her marriage, or will it push her further into a state of confusion and frustration? As the night progresses, the stakes will rise, and Gemma may be forced to make a choice that could alter the course of her relationship with Cassian forever.
Meanwhile, Cassian’s internal struggle will deepen as he grapples with the reality of his actions and the impact they have had on Gemma. The revelation of Reyna’s presence in their suite will weigh heavily on his conscience, leading him to question his priorities. Readers will be left wondering whether Cassian will finally take the necessary steps to mend the rift between him and Gemma or if he will continue to allow misunderstandings to fester. As the chapter unfolds, expect surprising revelations, emotional confrontations, and the possibility of a turning point that could either bring Gemma and Cassian closer together or pull them further apart.
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