The Don Tore Up Our Divorce (Gemma and Cassian) novel Chapter 127

**Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest 127**

The soft glow of the lamp beside her bed casts a gentle light over her features, illuminating her serene expression. In this moment, she exudes an elegance that seems almost ethereal.

When the shadows of her illness recede, she appears just like anyone else—a woman with dreams, passions, and a love for the poetic words of Shakespeare. We can lose ourselves in discussions about his plays for hours, reveling in the beauty of language and the depth of human emotion.

Yet, it’s the illness that looms, an unwelcome specter that descended without a hint of warning, leaving us both grappling with its sudden presence.

“What are you reading, Mom?” I inquire, my voice a blend of curiosity and hope.

Her head lifts, and a radiant smile breaks across her face. “Gemma! You’re here!” The joy in her tone wraps around me like a warm blanket.

I step inside, closing the door softly behind me, a small gesture that somehow feels monumental. “I didn’t bring anything this time. Hope you’re not mad.” I try to sound light-hearted, but a flicker of guilt dances in my chest.

“Mad? Of course not! You’re my daughter. Do you honestly think anything could be more important to me than you?” She sets her book aside, her eyes sparkling with affection, and opens her arms wide, inviting me into her embrace. I lean in, and the warmth of her hug envelops me, momentarily chasing away my worries.

“How have you been? Are you feeling okay? Is anyone giving you a hard time?”

I tread carefully with my questions, searching for any hint of recognition regarding Reyna and Angela’s previous visit, hoping to navigate this delicate territory without triggering memories that might be better left undisturbed.

“I’ve been great! The nurses here are really nice. And guess what? I’m undefeated on this floor. I’m the reigning chess queen!” Her eyes twinkle with pride, and I can’t help but feel a wave of relief wash over me.

“But you haven’t visited much lately,” she continues, tilting her head slightly, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. “Last time you were here, you came with Cassian, right? How long ago was that?”

She remembers? The realization fills me with a strange mix of hope and sorrow. At least she doesn’t recall Reyna and Angela’s visit.

“Relief,” I think to myself. “It’s probably for the best.”

Mom’s gentle fingers wrap around my hand, tracing the lines of my knuckles with her thumb, reminiscent of the way she used to pat my back to soothe me to sleep when I was a child. It’s a simple gesture, yet it stirs a deep sense of nostalgia within me.

“You and Cassian have been married for a few years now… when are you planning to have a baby?”

Her question catches me off guard, the unexpectedness of it leaving me momentarily speechless. This has always been a topic that Donovan broaches, never my mother.

Whenever the subject of children arises, a knot forms in my stomach. If our relationship were flourishing, the prospect of a baby would feel natural, a joyous step forward. But with the weight of our current struggles, the thought of bringing a child into our tumultuous world feels like a recipe for heartache.

“Cassian’s been really busy, and I’ve been tied up with work too. We haven’t even had time to talk about it.” My voice is steady, though inside, I’m wrestling with the truth of my words.

“But you know Cassian’s position, his future. You’re expected to produce an heir, sooner rather than later.”

Her hand is warm against mine, but the dryness of her skin contrasts sharply with the emotional storm brewing inside me.

I glance down, nodding slightly. “I know.” I force a smile, but it feels fragile, like glass on the verge of shattering.

After we’ve shared some quiet moments reading together, she looks up at me, curiosity dancing in her eyes. “Are you staying the night?”

“Do you not want me to?” I tease, trying to lighten the mood.

The room is spacious, with a comfortable sofa that beckons me to stay.

“Of course I do. I’m just wondering… did you tell Cassian where you were going? I don’t want him to worry.”

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