The Don Tore Up Our Divorce (Gemma and Cassian) novel Chapter 148

**Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest 148**

**Chapter 148**

**Gemma**

As the elevator glides downward, the lights of the level indicator flicker past us like fleeting stars in a dimmed sky. Each number that passes feels like a countdown, a reminder of the gravity of the moment.

Liam, who has been uncharacteristically quiet beside me for what seems like an eternity, finally breaks the silence. “Gemma,” he begins, his voice low and steady, “try not to hold too much anger towards Cassian. He can be stubborn, and yes, he often takes his time, but deep down, he knows the difference between right and wrong. When the moment comes, he will see the truth.”

His words hang in the air, laden with the weight of the past three years. I can sense the unspoken history behind his statement, a shared understanding of the struggles we’ve all faced. Liam pauses, his gaze distant. “Perhaps we’ve all been mistaken these last three years,” he adds, almost as if he’s reflecting on his own choices.

I turn to him, disbelief etched across my face. “Wait for him? Why should I? What gives him the right to keep me waiting like this?” My heart races with frustration.

I have spent years in limbo, waiting for something that feels increasingly futile. Cassian is no child; he doesn’t need me to babysit him while he sorts out his life. I refuse to be anyone’s caretaker.

Liam coughs softly, perhaps realizing that I am no longer the gentle, accommodating Gemma he once knew. There’s a fierceness in me now, a protective armor forged from the trials I’ve endured.

After we leave the warehouse, I don’t head straight back to the estate. Instead, I decide to meet Zina. I had sent her a message yesterday, but her reply was lackluster, leaving me with more questions than answers.

I want to know what my best friend has been up to lately.

Upon arriving at the café, I spot Zina immediately. She’s seated at a corner table, a steaming mug cradled in her hands, her spoon stirring absentmindedly. The guilt etched on her face is palpable, and she avoids meeting my gaze.

“Zina, at least try to hide the marks on your neck,” I whisper, my eyes drawn to the evidence of her recent escapades—a series of love bites that decorate her skin like a careless artist’s brushstrokes.

She offers a sheepish smile, one that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “You really expect me to wear turtlenecks in this heat?” she retorts, a hint of playful defiance in her tone. Then, with a dramatic sigh, she adds, “That man! I told him not to leave marks, but he just wouldn’t listen. He insisted on marking his territory.”

“When do I get to meet this elusive boyfriend of yours?” I inquire, genuine curiosity bubbling beneath my irritation.

“Oh, he’s just a guy,” she replies dismissively. “Nothing worth getting excited about. He hasn’t even made it through his probation period.”

What?

For someone still in his trial phase, they certainly seem to be heating things up.

Sensing her unwillingness to delve deeper into the topic, I decide to shift gears. Pushing her for more details would only lead to frustration on her part.

“Did you see the message I sent you yesterday?” I ask, trying to steer the conversation in a different direction.

Instantly, Zina’s cheeks flush crimson.

“Don’t tell me you were busy getting those hickies when I texted you!” I roll my eyes, feigning exasperation.

“Okay! Okay! Stop!” Zina raises her hands in mock surrender. “Yes, I saw it. You’re trying to wriggle out of your honeymoon plans.”

“Exactly! Now, help me come up with a way to escape. Time is running out, and I need a solution.”

“What could you possibly do that would sound believable? Unless you plan on breaking a leg or getting some serious illness that lands you in the hospital, how else can you fool Donovan?”

“Breaking a limb can’t be that complicated, right?” I suggest, wincing at the thought.

“Are you out of your mind? You want to injure yourself just to avoid a honeymoon?” she exclaims, her eyes wide in disbelief.

“Then what do you propose?” I snap, my impatience bubbling over. “Living at the estate with Cassian is already unbearably uncomfortable. I can’t even begin to imagine how awkward a honeymoon would be.”

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