The Don Tore Up Our Divorce (Gemma and Cassian) novel Chapter 111

**TITLE: Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest**
**Chapter 111**

**Gemma**

According to Zina, when she finally located me at the bar, I was already lost to the world, sprawled out in one of those worn booth seats, my head lolling to one side.

She practically had to haul me up from that pit of despair.

Thank goodness I’m associated with a powerful mafia family; most people wouldn’t dare lay a finger on me or take advantage of my vulnerable state.

After all, who wants the fury of Donovan or Cassian Blackwell crashing down upon them?

“Fuck! Gemma, are you trying to drown yourself in alcohol?” Zina exclaimed, her voice a mix of concern and frustration.

I couldn’t even begin to recall how many drinks I had downed that night. All I felt was this immense weight pressing down on my chest, a heavy burden that refused to budge, no matter how hard I tried to shake it off.

That suffocating sensation had led me straight back to this all-too-familiar bar, where I sought solace in the bottom of a glass.

**12:14**

I hadn’t intended to confide in anyone. The thought of Zina possibly being off somewhere with that enigmatic boyfriend of hers filled me with dread; I didn’t want to feel like a third wheel, a mere shadow in their romantic escapade.

In a foggy haze, I remembered flinging my arms around her neck, my voice thick with emotion.

“Zina, you’re here… I feel so sad… Please, have a drink with me, okay?”

She let out a heavy sigh, her hand gently patting my back like a soothing balm.

“Sweetheart, I’m right here. I’ve got you. But honestly, I think you’ve had more than enough.”

She said a lot more after that, but the words blurred into a muffled echo in my mind. All I could recall was her practically dragging me out of that bar, away from my self-destructive spiral.

*****

I must have slipped into unconsciousness, because the next time I opened my eyes, the sun had risen, ushering in a new day.

**2/8**
**12:14**

My head throbbed as if it were about to split apart, each pulse sending shockwaves through my skull.

Rubbing my temples in a desperate attempt to ease the pain, I stumbled out of the bedroom, the world around me still hazy from the remnants of last night’s escapades.

Zina was already seated at the dining table, a plate of breakfast before her. She glanced up and winked, her playful demeanor shining through. “Sleeping Beauty’s finally up!”

I felt a rush of embarrassment as I shuffled over to the other end of the table, my cheeks heating up.

Getting drunk like that was such a foolish decision. I knew exactly where Cassian stood on everything, yet I still managed to weave elaborate fantasies in my mind, only to have them come crashing down, leaving me disappointed once more.

Years had passed, and I still struggled to forgive him. Yet, deep down, a flicker of understanding whispered that I couldn’t allow the past to keep dragging me down into darkness.

After breakfast, I pushed through the pounding in my head and rushed to Sacred Hope, my heart heavy with worry for Mom.

Thankfully, when I arrived, the doctor reassured me that she was stable today. The trauma from yesterday had caused a temporary memory lapse, so she had no recollection of Reyna and Angela’s provocation or the fight that erupted between Cassian and me. She didn’t even know we were contemplating divorce.

Mom was already awake, propped up in bed, her gaze lost in the greenery outside the window. The forest beyond swayed gently in the breeze, a vibrant canvas of life.

As soon as she spotted me, her face lit up with a warm smile.

“Gemma, what are you doing here? Don’t you have work today?”

A wave of relief washed over me as I realized she had truly forgotten.

“Yeah, today’s my day off,” I replied, trying to keep my tone light.

She glanced over my shoulder, as if expecting someone to appear. When she didn’t see who she was looking for, a fleeting shadow of disappointment crossed her features.

**4/8**
**12:14**

**5/8**
**12:14**

I knew, deep down, all she truly wanted was for me to find happiness.

After spending some time chatting with her, we lingered until she finally succumbed to sleep. Then Cassian and I slipped out of the room together.

**6/8**
**12:14**

The silence between us felt heavy, almost palpable, until I awkwardly broke it with a simple, “Thanks.”

Regardless of the turmoil in our relationship, I appreciated that he had shown up and helped ease Mom’s anxiety. The least I could do was be civil, even if it felt like a stretch.

But that didn’t mean I had forgiven him for what had transpired yesterday.

Cassian turned to me, his expression softening. “I’m your husband. It’s what I’m supposed to do.”

Just as I opened my mouth to argue, he pulled a card from his jacket and handed it to me.

“There’s about a million in here. If Lisette needs anything, use this. It’s not a secondary card.”

I stared at it, feeling a surge of defiance. Without thinking, I shoved it right back into his hand.

“No. I’ll take care of my mom’s expenses.”

Our marriage had devolved into something akin to a business arrangement. There was no reason for me to keep accepting his money, not when I was determined to stand on my own two feet.

**7/8**
**12:15**

And honestly? I didn’t want to.

Cassian clenched his jaw, the tension radiating off him palpable. I could see the internal struggle in his eyes; he wanted to argue, but as he looked at me and perceived the steadfastness in my gaze, he relented.

“Donovan invited us to dinner tonight. You coming?”