Chapter 237

In Chapter 236 of “Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth,” the tension between Gemma and Cassian escalates as they confront the possibility of pregnancy. Gemma is visibly distressed, gripping the table tightly, her heart racing as Cassian’s intense gaze demands answers she is not prepared to give. She reveals that she took a pregnancy test that came back negative, yet the fear of the unknown lingers. Cassian urges her to seek medical attention, but the mere mention of a hospital sends Gemma spiraling into memories of her mother’s illness, highlighting her deep-seated fears and the emotional turmoil she faces.
As their conversation unfolds, Gemma’s sarcasm and defiance surface, revealing her anxiety about the implications of a potential pregnancy. She accuses Cassian of wanting to control her choices regarding motherhood, which leads to a moment of vulnerability for him. Cassian grapples with his feelings, realizing that he has never considered the possibility of having a child with Gemma, as their relationship has always been transactional. His internal conflict becomes evident as he feels a flicker of happiness at the thought of fatherhood, yet he struggles to articulate his feelings, leaving Gemma feeling isolated and misunderstood.
Gemma’s determination to assert her independence is palpable as she rejects Cassian’s attempts to reach out, insisting she can handle the situation alone. Her decision to leave him behind solidifies her resolve, but it also leaves Cassian in a state of uncertainty. He grapples with the fear that he may lose the chance to be part of a family, as his silence during their confrontation has created an emotional chasm between them. Gemma’s departure signifies a turning point, where she chooses to confront her reality without Cassian, further deepening the emotional stakes.
Later, Gemma confides in her friends Zina and Jace, revealing her uncertainty about her pregnancy and the implications it holds for her future with Cassian. Their reactions reflect the gravity of the situation, as Zina questions the impact of a child on Gemma’s plans for divorce. Gemma’s resolute stance emerges as she declares her intention to divorce Cassian regardless of the pregnancy, emphasizing that her child’s well-being is non-negotiable. This moment encapsulates her struggle for autonomy and the desire to break free from a relationship that has become suffocating, setting the stage for the challenges she will face ahead.
**Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest 236**
**Chapter 236**
*Gemma’s POV*
My fingers grip the edge of the table, knuckles white as I fight to maintain a steady breath. My heart races violently, as if it’s attempting to break free from the confines of my chest. Cassian’s gaze is locked onto me, his eyes piercing and searching, demanding answers that I’m not ready to provide.
“I already took a test,” I blurt out, the words tumbling from my lips without any semblance of grace. “Zina gave me one, but it came back negative.”
A flicker of confusion crosses his face, and I rush to add, “There shouldn’t be any issue.”
My voice trembles, and I feel my fingers quiver as I push his hand away from my arm, desperate to create distance.
“In any case, w-what are you panicking for? Are you afraid that if I have a child, it will become a barrier between you and Reyna? Don’t worry, Mr. Blackwell! I’m not pregnant; it’s not possible.”
The sarcasm drips from my tongue before I can catch it, yet Cassian remains unfazed, his focus unwavering. His jaw clenches slightly, but it’s clear he isn’t absorbing my words; instead, he’s entirely fixated on me and the way I’m struggling to mask my own panic.
“Gemma, whether you are pregnant or not doesn’t change the fact that you can’t continue like this. You need to be checked properly,” he insists, his voice firm yet laced with concern.
The moment he utters the word ‘hospital,’ my body goes rigid. I yank my arm back as if his touch were a searing flame.
“No,” I snap, my tone sharp and defiant. “I’m not going!”
The acrid scent of disinfectant fills my nostrils, and suddenly I’m overwhelmed by memories of my mother’s frail figure lying in a hospital bed for what felt like an eternity. It’s suffocating.
Hospitals offer no solace, no hope… just an endless cycle of waiting and empty promises that never come to fruition.
And then, a dark thought creeps in like poison, tainting everything: what if the test was wrong? What if I am pregnant? The mere idea sends a chill down my spine, knowing Cassian would never allow me to keep it.
“Gemma…” His voice pulls me back to the present, cutting through the haze. “This isn’t the time for you to be stubborn!”
“Stubborn?”
I meet his gaze, my chest heaving with rapid breaths, anger and fear intertwining within me. “Why are you so desperate to drag me there? Are you genuinely worried I might be having a child? That you’ll be forced to make me get rid of it?”
Cassian freezes, his eyes widening as if I’ve just accused him of the most heinous crime. “When did I ever say that?”
His voice wavers slightly, and for the first time, he seems genuinely at a loss for words. But I press on, ignoring the flicker of hurt that crosses his features.
“Don’t pretend, Cassian. You’ve never wanted a child with me. You’ve always been so meticulous about this—contraception, pills, precautions. Even that last time… I forgot that night, but I rushed to the store to fix it the very next day. You don’t need to worry.”
Cassian’s shoulders slump, and helplessness washes over his face. He opens his mouth, closes it, and finally manages to speak on his third attempt.
“I’m not trying to force you to have an abortion. Right now, we don’t even know if you’re pregnant.”
I hold his gaze, my heart aching painfully. “We’re getting divorced, Cassian. Be honest with yourself. If I am pregnant now—would you let me keep the child?”
*Cassian’s POV*
Her words strike me like a physical blow.
The most jarring realization is that I have no immediate answer for her.
The truth is, I had never considered this possibility before.
To me, she was merely an arrangement to endure, and children were never part of that equation.
But now… everything has shifted.
As I look at her—pale, trembling, clutching her stomach—my first instinct is the thought of becoming a father to our baby.
Instead of panic, a surge of happiness flickers within me, or at least something resembling it.
Yet, my words fail me utterly.
Gemma is watching me, her expression growing colder by the second.
“You don’t have to answer! I already understand.”
She spits the words out, pushing against my chest with surprising force.
“Gemma…”
I reach for her wrist, but she twists free, pulling away with determination.
“I know my own body well enough! So there’s no need for you to worry; I’m not pregnant. And if I am, then I’ll handle it myself.”
She grabs her bag, turning away from me.
She hesitates for a moment, just long enough to shoot me a look that could freeze blood in my veins.
Then she strides toward the door, and my hands clench into fists at my sides, uncertainty gripping me. I take a slow, measured breath, attempting to calm the tempest raging within my chest.
If she is pregnant, I don’t want to erase it… I want to protect it.
But she doesn’t know that, all because I remained silent when she needed an answer the most. Even if I try to mend the damage I’ve caused… will she even give me the chance?
*Gemma’s POV*
I don’t return to the company or anywhere near Dream International. Instead, I take a leave of absence and head in the opposite direction.
By the time I arrive, Zina is already waiting for me. Jace happens to be there too; apparently, he had planned to see her today. The three of us find ourselves sitting in the living room, exchanging glances in an awkward silence that stretches uncomfortably.
Zina is the first to break the silence, her voice hesitant.
“Gemma… are you saying you’re pregnant?”
Her wide eyes seem almost disbelieving, as if she’s trying to process the weight of my words.
I rub my temple, my throat feeling parched. “I’m not sure yet. The symptoms… I mean, the timing adds up. It’s possible.”
Zina shakes her head, almost in protest. “But yesterday… you were fine yesterday.”
Jace leans forward, his hands clasped tightly together, as if bracing himself for the answer.
“Pregnant… What does that mean for you and Cassian?”
The mere mention of his name sends a chill racing through me. I glance away, focusing on the floor, my voice colder than I intended. “It means nothing for him.”
Zina frowns, concern etched on her features. “Gemma, that’s not realistic. If you really are pregnant, it changes everything. Are you still going to divorce him?”
That question has been haunting me like a shadow throughout the drive here. I close my eyes for a moment, inhaling deeply.
If it’s true, this child would enter a world already fractured by a broken family. A child destined to grow up witnessing silence and resentment between their parents. But if I stay with Cassian solely for the sake of the child… I’ll be chained to him for a lifetime, drowning in days I can’t bear.
“Yes,” I say firmly. “I will divorce him.”
“Yes.” My tone hardens. “But the child will stay. That much is not negotiable.”
As I sit in the living room, surrounded by Zina and Jace, the weight of my decision settles heavily on my shoulders. The uncertainty of my potential pregnancy looms over me like a dark cloud, yet I feel a strange sense of clarity amidst the chaos. Cassian’s face flashes in my mind, his confusion and helplessness cutting deeper than I anticipated. I realize that my resolve to divorce him is not just about escaping a marriage that has become a mere arrangement; it’s about reclaiming my autonomy and ensuring that, if I am to bring a child into this world, it will be on my own terms. The thought of a child—my child—fills me with a mix of fear and hope, igniting a flicker of warmth in the cold void that Cassian and I have created between us. I refuse to let my past dictate my future, and I will not allow a fractured relationship to dictate the life of an innocent being.
Meanwhile, Cassian’s silence lingers in my mind, a haunting reminder of the unspoken truths that have kept us apart. I know he struggles with his feelings, torn between duty and desire, and I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness for the man I once thought I knew. But I must prioritize my own well-being, and the well-being of this potential child, above all else. I am determined to carve out a new path for myself, one that embraces the possibility of motherhood while simultaneously liberating me from the shackles of a loveless marriage. As I meet Zina’s concerned gaze, I feel a renewed sense of purpose. Whatever lies ahead, I will face it with strength and conviction, ready to embrace the unknown with open arms, even if it means stepping into a future that feels as uncertain as the rain that has yet to touch the earth.
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As the tension between Gemma and Cassian reaches a boiling point, the next chapter promises to delve deeper into the emotional turmoil that both characters are grappling with. Gemma’s decision to seek solace with Zina and Jace hints at a pivotal moment of support and confrontation. Will her friends help her navigate this uncertain territory, or will their well-meaning advice push her further into a corner? Expect raw emotions as Gemma wrestles with her fears and the implications of a potential pregnancy, while Cassian is left to grapple with his own unspoken desires and regrets. The reader will be left wondering whether these two will find common ground or if their paths are destined to diverge irreparably.
Moreover, the weight of impending choices looms large. With Gemma resolutely declaring her intention to go through with the divorce, the stakes have never been higher. How will Cassian respond to her determination? Will he finally voice the feelings he has kept buried, or will his silence seal their fate? The next chapter will explore the complexities of love, responsibility, and the haunting specter of what could have been, all while keeping readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover whether Gemma will embrace her newfound strength or succumb to the shadows of her past. Prepare for a whirlwind of emotions, as the echoes of their decisions ripple through the lives they’ve built together—and apart.
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