The Don Tore Up Our Divorce (Gemma and Cassian) novel Chapter 104

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

**Chapter 104**

Cassian

I am acutely aware that Reyna and Gemma are sisters. The tangled web of their family history, as recounted by Reyna, reveals that Lisette—Gemma’s mother—had led their father, Lucien Marino, down the treacherous path of gambling.

Lucien Marino was a man devoid of scruples, a master manipulator whose very existence seemed to mock the concept of decency. I loathed him even while he drew breath. The sheer audacity of his survival in a world that typically chews up and spits out men like him is beyond my comprehension. Men of his ilk inevitably find themselves on the wrong side of fate, crossing paths with someone far more formidable than themselves, ultimately leading to a grim conclusion—a pair of concrete shoes, so to speak.

Yet, despite my disdain for her father, I find myself perplexed by Gemma’s intense animosity toward Reyna. If anything, it should be Reyna who harbors resentment against Gemma.

I must admit, I have allowed my biases to cloud my judgment regarding Gemma in the past. I have naively assumed that her feelings stemmed from jealousy, that she lashed out at Reyna out of sheer spite.

But there is undoubtedly more to their story—too much bitterness and hostility for it to be mere sibling rivalry. Something significant must have transpired between them, a missing piece that eludes my understanding.

Reyna’s hands tremble slightly, the fork in her grip clattering against her plate as if echoing the turmoil in her heart. She blinks rapidly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Cassian, why are you asking this all of a sudden? I’ve told you before—Gemma is my half-sister. Her mother has committed unspeakable acts, but Gemma herself is innocent. I hold no blame against her.”

I scrutinize Reyna’s expression, searching for any fissures in her seemingly perfect facade. She radiates beauty, intelligence, and an air of refinement—practically flawless in the eyes of anyone who might behold her. Almost too flawless, if I dare say.

With a deliberate effort, I divert my gaze.

“No particular reason. Just a fleeting thought. It’s getting late; I should be on my way.”

I rise abruptly, the chair scraping harshly against the floor with an unwelcome screech.

“Office work,” I murmur, grabbing my leather jacket, which still carries the faint scent of Gemma’s jasmine shampoo in its collar. “You understand how it is.”

Reyna springs to her feet, her urgency palpable as she follows me to the door. “You barely touched your food. Was it that unpalatable?”

I shrug, slipping into my jacket. “It was fine. Just… work piling up at the office.”

I had only accepted her invitation for dinner because Reyna had claimed she needed some comfort. She has earned my gratitude, having navigated the complexities of smuggling logistics, finding swifter and more efficient routes. Her efforts have significantly bolstered the family’s finances, leveraging her connections within the underbelly of society.

But now, she seems… remarkably composed. Her recovery is almost too swift.

My grandfather’s words echo in my mind. Until my divorce from Gemma is finalized, I should maintain a distance from other women.

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