Chapter 70

In Chapter 70 of “Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth” by Eli Dane Crest, Gemma finds herself in a tense situation as Reyna desperately pleads for help over the phone. Reyna’s mother is in the hospital, and the urgency of the call stirs a mix of emotions within Gemma. Cassian, the man Gemma has feelings for, is torn between his loyalty to Reyna and his connection with Gemma. As Cassian rushes to help Reyna, Gemma grapples with the reality of their complicated relationship, feeling both bitterness and resignation about her secret identity as Moonlight.
After Cassian leaves, Gemma meets her friend Zina, who senses the shift in Gemma’s mood. Initially planning to go out, Gemma decides instead to visit her mother in the hospital, driven by a need to ensure her mother’s well-being. The chapter captures Gemma’s internal struggle as she battles anxiety while navigating her responsibilities and the weight of her hidden truth. Her arrival at Sacred Hope Hospital brings a sense of relief when she learns that her mother has received the experimental medication, restoring some clarity to her mother’s condition.
Upon seeing her mother, Gemma is filled with a bittersweet mix of joy and sorrow. Her mother’s warm smile contrasts with the heaviness of their past, especially the pain caused by Gemma’s father. As they talk, Gemma feels the pressure of her mother’s expectations and the fear of repeating past mistakes in her own relationship with Cassian. The conversation reveals the deep bond between mother and daughter, yet it also highlights the unresolved tensions stemming from their family’s history.
As the chapter progresses, Gemma’s determination to protect her mother and their fragile happiness becomes evident. She seeks to keep her secrets hidden, even from Cassian, to buy herself more time. The chapter closes with Gemma feeling exhausted and longing for comfort, only to be interrupted by a call from Cassian’s aunt, Sibille Blackwell, leaving her with a sense of foreboding about what might come next. The emotional landscape of this chapter is rich with themes of love, sacrifice, and the struggle for personal identity amidst familial obligations.
**Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest**
**Chapter 70**
**Gemma**
The sound of Reyna’s sobs pierces through the air, her voice trembling and desperate as she pleads into the phone. “Please, Cassian. She’s in the hospital. She really needs that medicine, and they won’t give it to her!”
I stand there, a silent observer, and a wry smile creeps onto my lips, a mocking reflection of the turmoil around me.
“You’ll never choose me,” I say, my voice laced with a mixture of bitterness and resignation. “Just go.”
Cassian’s gaze snaps to mine, and I can see the tension in his grip; his knuckles whiten as he clutches the phone, as if it might shatter under the pressure of his emotions.
With a deep breath, he exhales slowly, trying to steady himself. “I’m on my way, Reyna. Don’t worry. Aunt Angela will be fine.”
The call ends abruptly, and he casts me a hesitant look, one that seems to linger in the air between us, before he turns and strides away down the hall, his footsteps echoing in the quiet space.
I stand there, trembling slightly, as the weight of the moment settles over me like a heavy blanket.
I know I haven’t shaken him off the path of discovering my secret identity.
I’m Moonlight. He’s not oblivious to the signs. Yet, for now, I’ve managed to buy myself a little more time.
With a heavy heart, I make my way downstairs, each step feeling like a small battle against the gnawing anxiety in my chest. When I reach the ground floor, I find Zina waiting for me, her expression curious.
“I just saw Cassian leave,” she says, her tone light yet knowing. “His driver pulled out like a bat out of hell.”
I can’t help but offer her a wry smile in return, feeling a mix of amusement and frustration. “Reyna called. She needs him. Her mom was in an accident.”
Zina’s expression shifts to one of understanding. “Let me guess. You’ve changed your mind about going out.”
“Yeah,” I admit, my voice softening. “I’ve changed my mind. I want to go visit my mom and make sure she’s really getting those meds.”
“All right,” Zina says, her tone supportive. “No worries. I’ll call Jace.”
She winks at me, a gesture of camaraderie, and we both step outside to hail different cabs. While she heads off into the night for her adventures, I find myself on the way to Sacred Hope Hospital, a place that feels both familiar and daunting.
I call ahead, my heart racing as I learn that they’ve already administered some of the experimental medication to my mom. The relief washes over me like a gentle wave; she’s lucid, almost normal.
As I arrive at the hospital, I make my way to the elevator. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a figure pacing back and forth in the hallway, their movements erratic and tense. They don’t enter any rooms, and an unsettling feeling creeps up my spine.
But when I turn to get a better look, the figure has vanished, leaving me with an inexplicable sense of unease.
I shake it off, telling myself it’s just my imagination, and step into the elevator, ascending to the mental health floor.
When I arrive, I’m greeted by my mother’s warm smile, a sight that instantly brightens my heart. “Gemma! Where’s Cassian?” she asks, her voice filled with a hopeful lilt.
I suppress an exasperated sigh, knowing I have to maintain the facade. “Working,” I respond automatically, the word feeling heavy on my tongue.
My mother tilts her head, a gesture that makes my heart ache with both love and sorrow. This truly is a miracle drug; she seems so much like her old self in this moment.
“Sweetie, what’s with that face? Have you and Cassian been arguing?”
My entire body tenses at her words, the truth weighing heavily on my conscience. I move to sit on the bed beside her, gently tucking a stray lock of her vibrant red hair behind her ear. “No, Cassian and I are fine. You’re reading too much into it.”
Her skeptical gaze meets mine, searching for honesty. “Am I?”
“Yeah, Mom.” I force a laugh, trying to lighten the mood. “No worries.”
She studies me for a moment longer, her eyes reflecting a mix of concern and maternal instinct. Then she takes my hand, her grip warm and reassuring. “You have to make sure you talk to each other. Don’t keep secrets from each other, and don’t let him lie to you.”
I know she speaks from a place of love, trying to protect me from the pain that marred her own marriage. My father was a deceitful man, a master of manipulation who had shattered her trust time and again.
Even amidst his betrayals, he had managed to convince her that everything was fine, that their life together was normal.
I understand her fears; she doesn’t want me to suffer the same fate.
As she sniffs softly, I realize that revisiting her past is too much for her to bear. I reach up, gently wiping the tears that have begun to spill from her eyes with my fingertips.
“Don’t cry, Mom,” I say, though the urge to cry myself is overwhelming. “I promise I’m happy.”
A pang of bitterness stirs within me, but I push it down, forcing myself to focus on the moment.
“It’s not just your father I hate,” my mom whispers, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s myself, for not being able to give you a better life. For letting him stick us with his debts while those other two…”
Her voice trails off, and I can hear the soft sobs that escape her lips.
“Those other two,” as she refers to Reyna and her mother, Angela, are a reminder of the unfairness of it all. My father had managed to leave them with a small inheritance while leaving my mother and me drowning in debts that had nearly cost us our lives. It was only my marriage to Cassian that had provided a lifeline, preventing us from being swallowed whole by the mafia.
I stay by my mother’s side until her eyelids grow heavy, and she drifts off into a peaceful sleep. I stroke her hair gently, savoring the moment. Once I’m sure she’s out, I quietly exit her room, my heart still heavy with the weight of our conversation, and seek out Dr. Rojas.
“You got the medication!” he exclaims brightly, his enthusiasm a stark contrast to my serious demeanor.
“I did,” I reply, my tone much graver than his. “And I need you to do something for me. Don’t tell anyone about it. Not even my husband.”
If Cassian discovers that I’ve already switched things around, he’ll catch on sooner rather than later. But this will buy me some precious time.
“Of course,” Dr. Rojas assures me, his expression sincere. “I’d be happy to do that for you.”
I nod in gratitude and walk away, feeling the exhaustion of the day settle over me like a thick fog. I’m still wearing that delicate lace dress, a reminder of plans that never came to fruition.
But all I crave now are cozy pajamas and perhaps a bowl of ice cream. Then, I just want to rest and forget the world outside for a little while.
My thoughts are abruptly interrupted when my phone rings, the sound slicing through the stillness. I pull it out, and my eyebrows shoot up in surprise at the name flashing on the screen.
It’s Cassian’s aunt, Sibille Blackwell. Claire’s mother.
What could the old witch possibly want with me?
In the aftermath of the tumultuous events that unfolded, Gemma stands at a crossroads, her heart heavy yet illuminated by a flicker of hope. The weight of secrets and the shadows of her past linger, but the warmth of her mother’s smile and the relief of the administered medication create a fragile sense of peace. As she navigates the complexities of her relationships, particularly with Cassian, she grapples with the fear of repeating her mother’s painful history. The promise she makes to her mother—to communicate openly and avoid deception—echoes in her mind, a guiding principle she must embrace even as the fabric of her own identity remains tangled in secrecy.
Yet, as Gemma prepares to face the unknown, the unexpected call from Cassian’s aunt serves as a stark reminder that the past is never far behind. The emotional arc of this chapter culminates in a bittersweet realization: while she has managed to carve out a moment of solace for herself and her mother, the challenges ahead are daunting. The looming presence of her hidden identity, the weight of familial expectations, and the complexities of love all converge, leaving her on the precipice of change. In this moment of uncertainty, Gemma learns that while she cannot control the unfolding story of her life, she can choose how to respond to it, embracing the warmth of her memories while bracing herself for the rain that is sure to come.
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As the narrative unfolds in the upcoming chapter, Gemma stands at a precipice of revelation and confrontation. With Cassian’s aunt, Sibille Blackwell, reaching out unexpectedly, the stakes are raised higher than ever. What could she possibly want? Is it merely a familial check-in, or does she hold secrets that could unravel the fragile web Gemma has woven around her true identity? As tensions mount, readers can expect a gripping exploration of the complex dynamics between family loyalty and the desire for self-preservation.
Moreover, Gemma’s internal struggle deepens as she grapples with the weight of her mother’s past and the secrets she keeps from Cassian. Will the truth about her identity come to light, or will she find a way to protect herself and her loved ones from the fallout? The emotional landscape is set to shift dramatically as Gemma’s resolve is tested, and the consequences of her choices loom larger. As the chapter progresses, prepare for unexpected alliances, heart-wrenching choices, and the tantalizing possibility of long-buried truths surfacing, forever altering the course of Gemma’s life.
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