The Don Tore Up Our Divorce (Gemma and Cassian) novel Chapter 128

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

**Crest 128**

Cassian

As I hurried back to the banquet hall, a sense of urgency propelled me forward. However, upon arrival, I discovered that the event had already concluded, leaving behind only echoes of laughter and clinking glasses. My heart raced as I inquired among the staff, but none had seen Gemma. A knot of worry twisted in my stomach, urging me to act quickly.

Without a second thought, I made my way to the care facility, my mind racing with possibilities. But to my dismay, she was nowhere to be found there either. A fleeting thought crossed my mind about calling Kane Butler, but I knew he wouldn’t answer. The night dragged on, and after hours of fruitless searching, I felt utterly drained and on edge. Reluctantly, I returned home, desperate for a moment to regroup. A quick shower and a change of clothes would have to suffice before I resumed the search for her.

Yet, as I stepped through the front door, I froze in disbelief. There she was—Gemma, seated at the dining table, serene and composed, casually enjoying her breakfast as if nothing had transpired.

For a long moment, I stood there, processing the sight before me. My heart sank, a mix of relief and frustration flooding my veins. Finally, I approached her, my expression grim.

“When did you get back? Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, my voice taut with concern. Did she not comprehend the anxiety that had consumed me?

I had nearly mobilized the entire Blackwell patrol team to search for her!

Gemma didn’t even spare me a glance. She seemed utterly unfazed by my presence, as if my worry was of no consequence.

“Gemma. I’m talking to you!” I urged, my voice rising slightly.

The fact that Donovan was in the house didn’t matter; I needed answers.

“Do you really care when I came back?” she replied flatly, her tone devoid of emotion. “You walked out of the banquet without a word, didn’t even bother to explain. Did it not cross your mind that I might have wanted to know where you were headed?”

With an air of nonchalance, she spread butter on her toast and took a deliberate bite.

I hesitated, knowing full well that I had pushed her buttons. She was right; she had every reason to be upset about last night. Perhaps I should clarify. Claire had attacked Reyna. As her cousin, it was my duty to intervene. What was so unreasonable about that? I had called her afterward, but she didn’t pick up. She had vanished for the entire night! Even if she was angry, that didn’t grant her the right to disappear and ignore her phone.

“Who’s the one throwing a tantrum here?” Gemma shot back, slamming her hand on the table and rising to her feet. “You called me your wife in front of everyone, then left with another woman. Do you have any idea how humiliating that was? And you say I’m the unreasonable one? You think I didn’t answer your calls on purpose? Sorry, I’m not that petty. My phone died. As for when I came home—do you even care? Weren’t you too busy worrying about Reyna? Why didn’t you just stay at the hospital with her?”

Her pent-up frustration erupted like a volcano, and I opened my mouth to explain, to set the record straight, but before I could utter a single word, Donovan descended the stairs, his presence commanding immediate attention.

“What the hell did you do last night, boy?” he barked, his eyes narrowing at me.

“You left with Reyna?” he continued, disbelief lacing his tone.

“It’s not what you think,” I protested, frowning at Gemma, who was only making matters worse.

But she paid me no heed, returning her focus to her breakfast, clearly done with the escalating drama.

Then—SMACK!

Before I could react, Donovan’s hand connected sharply with my face. The sound echoed in the room, and a stunned silence enveloped us. Even the maids froze, their eyes wide with shock.

I stood there, momentarily paralyzed, grappling with the reality that Donovan had struck me in front of everyone. He had never undermined my authority like this before, especially not in public. He understood the implications of such an act in our world.

Even Gemma looked up, her expression a mix of surprise and concern.

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