Chapter 63

In Chapter 63 of “Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth,” Gemma confronts her husband, Cassian, about the emotional turmoil caused by his family’s perception of her. She expresses her deep frustration over the prenatal vitamins his grandfather has been giving her, revealing that they symbolize the disrespect she feels from Cassian’s family. Gemma shares her pain about being seen as unworthy and incapable of bearing children, a sentiment echoed by Cassian’s relatives. This confrontation is charged with emotion as she reveals how she has sacrificed her own reputation to protect Cassian from blame regarding their lack of children, all while feeling invisible and unappreciated.
As Gemma pours out her heart, she highlights the worst part of her situation: her love and dedication to Cassian have gone unnoticed. The weight of her confession hangs heavy in the air, and she struggles to face the reality of their relationship. Overwhelmed by her emotions and anticipating Cassian’s cold response, she decides to leave, wiping away her tears as she exits the house, seeking solace elsewhere.
At Zina’s place, Gemma attempts to distract herself from the pain of her confrontation by immersing herself in work. She is determined to complete an assignment involving the Blackwell family, but her efforts are thwarted as she faces unexpected obstacles in breaching their security system. Zina expresses concern as Gemma’s frustration grows, and the pressure mounts since they need the data for financial security. Gemma’s desperation to secure a miracle drug for her mother adds to her motivation, yet the barriers she faces only deepen her resolve.
Meanwhile, Cassian is alerted to the breach in his system and learns that the hacker, known as Moonlight, is exceptionally skilled. He instructs his team to cut off all access to ensure that Gemma cannot infiltrate their system again. This decision leads to Gemma being completely locked out, intensifying her determination to succeed. Refusing to be defeated by Cassian’s measures, she resolves to infiltrate the warehouse directly, showcasing her fierce spirit and unwillingness to back down in the face of adversity.
**TITLE: Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest 63**
**Chapter 63**
**Gemma**
He stares at the bottle, a frown creasing his forehead, clearly bewildered. “Vitamins are an example of me disrespecting you?”
“Prenatal vitamins,” I reply, my voice steady yet laced with an underlying tension. “And yes, they absolutely are. Your grandfather has been handing me things like this for years—medications, supplements, vitamins. I take them religiously, even though you didn’t lay a finger on me until just recently.”
His expression shifts, as if he’s about to respond, but I’m far from finished.
“Do you have any idea what your family thinks of me? They whisper that I must be incapable of having a baby because I’m somehow defective. Just recently, your cousin Claire had the audacity to scream that I’m a gold-digging freak right to my face in public.”
I can feel the heat of anger rising in my chest, and I press on. “The ones who don’t hurl insults at me still believe it’s the universe’s way of protecting you by preventing me from carrying your child. They think I’m unworthy. Not like Reyna, who they all adore.”
I take a moment to collect my thoughts, the weight of my words hanging heavily in the air. “I’ve allowed your family to believe I’m infertile, a freak, or simply unworthy, all to shield you from their blame regarding the lack of an heir. For three long years, I’ve dedicated every single day to making you look good, even if it meant tarnishing my own image.”
I pause, feeling the tension in the room swell. “And do you know what the most painful part is, Cassian?”
I take a shaky breath, the words spilling out as if they’ve been trapped for far too long. “It’s not how your family treats me. It’s not the way I have to watch women swoon over you, thinking you’re single. It’s not even Reyna or the fact that I’ve buried my true self for so long, trying to be the perfect partner for you.”
My voice trembles as I push through the final revelation. “The worst part, Cassian, is that I did all of this for you, because I genuinely care about you, and you never even noticed.”
The last few words come out ragged, choked by the tears threatening to spill over.
He stands there, utterly silent, and it dawns on me just how heavy the truth of my confession weighs.
I can’t bear to face it.
Rather than waiting for Cassian’s response—his coldness, his insistence that it’s my duty as his wife or whatever other nonsense he might say—I grab my purse and bolt from the house, hastily wiping away the tears that cascade down my cheeks.
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Back at Zina’s place, I try desperately to shove thoughts of Cassian from my mind.
The best way to escape the turmoil is to immerse myself in work, so I dive in headfirst. I labor tirelessly throughout the day, pushing into the late hours of the night, and then I rise early to start again, fueled by a sense of urgency.
I have a mission to complete: an assignment targeting the Blackwell family. On the surface, it seems straightforward—sneak in, extract information about their shipments, plant some spyware, and slip away unnoticed.
But every time I think I’ve gained access, I find myself booted out once more.
Frustration gnaws at me as I bare my teeth, my fingers racing over the keyboard. Zina settles down next to me at our small, round kitchen table, her brow furrowed in concern.
“What’s going on?” she asks, her voice tinged with curiosity.
“I’m trying to breach the Blackwell’s inventory and shipping system, but I can’t seem to get in. Someone is actively working against me right now.”
Zina’s face contorts in disbelief. “What? That’s impossible! No one around here has the skills to counteract Moonlight.”
“I didn’t think so either, but I’m locked out!”
The urge to slam my laptop shut is overwhelming, a gesture of defeat I refuse to allow myself. I force my fingers to move with greater speed, willing my brain to think harder.
Yet, the barrier remains.
“We need this data, or we won’t get paid,” Zina insists, her voice tinged with anxiety.
“I know,” I reply, feeling the weight of my own financial struggles. I’m still searching for a way to secure that miracle drug for my mother—the one that Reyna’s mother is now receiving for her ridiculous insomnia.
I have to find a way to make this work.

**Cassian**
“How’s it going?” I inquire, standing behind the desk of the hacker Liam hired. He goes by a ludicrous string of letters and numbers that I can’t be bothered to remember.
My team did some digging, and his actual name is Sam.
Sam’s fingers dance over the keyboard, a sheen of sweat glistening on his forehead. “Who did you say is trying to breach your system again? Because they’re exceptionally skilled.”
“Moonlight,” I respond nonchalantly.
“Moonlight?! Damn!” Sam intensifies his focus, shaking his head in disbelief. “If this is indeed Moonlight, there’s only one solution.”
“I don’t care what it is,” I say firmly. “Just ensure she can’t access my system again. Cut her off.”
**Gemma**
In an instant, I find myself completely booted from the system, every possible avenue of access slamming shut.
“What the hell?! He just crippled his entire system to lock me out!”
“What?” Zina exclaims, her eyes widening. “What are we going to do? This client isn’t someone we can afford to upset, Gemma. We need that data, or we’re in serious trouble.”
I close my laptop, exhaling deeply. Then I rise to my feet, a fire igniting within me.
I refuse to be defeated by some amateur working for Cassian. Not only will I protect my reputation, but I also desperately need that money.
“If I can’t do it from out here,” I declare with determination, “I’ll have to infiltrate the warehouse directly. I’m going straight into the lion’s den.”
In the wake of Gemma’s emotional outburst, the air hangs heavy with unresolved tension, leaving both her and Cassian grappling with the weight of their unspoken truths. Gemma’s departure marks a pivotal moment, not only in her relationship with Cassian but also in her own journey of self-discovery. The pain of feeling invisible and unappreciated fuels her resolve to reclaim her identity and agency, pushing her to confront the challenges ahead with fierce determination. As she immerses herself in her work, the urgency of her mission becomes a symbol of her desire to break free from the shackles of expectation and judgment, transforming her anguish into a powerful drive to succeed.
For Cassian, the silence that follows Gemma’s revelation is deafening, forcing him to confront the reality of his indifference and the impact of his family’s expectations on their relationship. The sudden realization of Gemma’s sacrifices stirs a sense of regret and confusion within him, prompting a reevaluation of his priorities. As he grapples with the consequences of locking her out of his system, he begins to understand the importance of acknowledging and valuing Gemma’s contributions—not just as his wife but as an individual with her own aspirations and struggles. This chapter closes with both characters at a crossroads, poised to either bridge the widening chasm between them or continue down their separate paths, each ignited by the memories of warmth and love that once defined their bond.
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the upcoming chapter, tensions are bound to escalate as Gemma gears up for a daring infiltration into the Blackwell warehouse. With her resolve hardened by the emotional fallout from her confrontation with Cassian, readers can anticipate a thrilling blend of action and introspection. Gemma’s determination to reclaim her agency will be tested as she navigates the complexities of her mission while grappling with her feelings for Cassian, who remains oblivious to the depth of her sacrifices. The stakes are higher than ever, and her journey into the lion’s den promises to be fraught with danger and unexpected revelations.
Meanwhile, Cassian’s perspective will add another layer of intrigue to the narrative. As he grapples with the fallout of Gemma’s emotional outburst, he’ll be forced to confront the reality of his family’s expectations and the impact they have on his relationship. With Sam’s warning echoing in his mind, Cassian must not only protect his business but also begin to understand the woman he has taken for granted. Will he recognize the true depth of Gemma’s struggles, or will he remain ensnared in the web of familial loyalty that has kept them apart? As the chapter unfolds, readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eager to see how these intertwined paths will collide in a storm of passion, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of truth.
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