The Don Tore Up Our Divorce (Gemma and Cassian) novel Chapter 103

**Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest 103**

**Chapter 103**

**Gemma**

“For agreeing to help him for now. If you hadn’t, he’d still be yelling at us. Well, okay, mostly just yelling at me.” Cassian shrugs, his expression a mix of frustration and resignation. It’s a rare sight to witness this feared mafia boss show even a hint of vulnerability.

I bite my lip, holding back my own frustration. “I just didn’t want him to get too worked up. You know his health isn’t great—he can’t handle any emotional stress. I’m not doing this for you.” My voice is firm, but inside, I’m grappling with the chaos that seems to follow us like a shadow.

Cassian studies me intently, as if searching for something hidden beneath the surface, but then a smirk breaks through. “Well done,” he says, his tone teasing yet appreciative.

I roll my eyes, letting out an exasperated sigh.

I thought today would be a moment of liberation, a chance to breathe, but it seems the storm is far from over.

12:09 PM

“Hey, listen, even though we’re not divorced yet, you can do whatever you want. If you want to be with…” I hesitate, the words hanging in the air, heavy with implication.

“…someone else, I won’t stop you. You don’t need to announce our marriage to anyone. Let’s wait a year. Once Grandpa cools down, we can file for divorce.”

A year feels like a lifetime, yet it’s the shortest time I can bear to think about. Perhaps we won’t even need that long. When the right moment arrives, we’ll part ways, and I’ll finally be free. Three years have already slipped through my fingers—what’s one more year in the grand scheme of things?

Yet Cassian remains unnervingly calm. I realize I’m spiraling into overthinking, mapping out a future that may not even come to pass. I shake my head, trying to clear the clutter from my mind.

I refuse to let myself fall for him again.

“Where are you headed? I can give you a ride.” Cassian’s voice is cautious, as if he’s bracing for my rejection.

I glance at the clock, realizing we’ve lingered at the courthouse far too long. I need to return to work. So, instead of protesting, I slide into the back seat, the familiar scent of leather wrapping around me like a comforting blanket.

Cassian turns to me, a frown creasing his brow. “Why aren’t you sitting in the front?”

I’m momentarily taken aback. How do I even respond to that?

In the past, even though our marriage was a secret, I always occupied the passenger seat when Cassian drove. It felt like a symbol of intimacy, a small piece of our lives together. I remember that day when he dropped Reyna off, and she claimed my spot. The jealousy that surged within me was almost unbearable. I confronted Cassian about it, and he dismissed my feelings, insisting it was just a seat—nothing more.

I used to care deeply, but now I simply meet his gaze with a hint of mockery. “It’s just a seat, right?”

Cassian catches my attitude but chooses not to press further. He turns back to the road, and silence envelops us for the remainder of the drive.

When we finally arrive at my new place, I thank him politely, my voice tinged with formality, before stepping out and walking away, my heart heavy with unspoken words.

As I walk, my gaze drops to the pavement, lost in thought. Just a few steps later, I spot Jace approaching. He seems to have just returned.

“Gemma!”

His voice is bright and full of energy. He’s not wearing his glasses today, dressed in a crisp white t-shirt that highlights his youthful vigor. As he draws closer, I catch the faint scent of grass and wood, a reminder of the outdoors.

“Did everything go okay?” he asks, his eyes searching mine.

“It’s complicated,” I reply with a shrug, feeling the weight of my emotions pressing down on me.

“What happened?” he inquires, but then his gaze shifts over my shoulder.

I glance back, realizing that Cassian is still watching us from the driver’s seat. What is he doing? Is he angry?

I’m uncertain, but I push the thought aside and turn back to Jace, eager to escape the tension.

XXXXX

**Reyna**

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