The Don Tore Up Our Divorce (Gemma and Cassian) novel Chapter 158

**Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest 158**

**Chapter 158**

**Reyna’s POV**

The door creaked open, and in walked the nurse, her expression shifting from routine calm to a flustered surprise upon catching sight of me perched upright on the hospital bed, my fingers idly scrolling through my phone.

“Oh dear! Didn’t I mention it before? The doctor cleared you for discharge nearly an hour ago. You can head home now, sweetheart.”

Her tone dripped with an unwarranted condescension, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes dramatically. Seriously, is this place really a five-star hospital? Who is handing out licenses to these incompetent fools?

Instead, I plastered a sheepish smile on my face, the kind that said I was trying to be understanding.

“Oh no, you did tell me! But my fiancé is on his way to pick me up, so I thought I’d wait here until he arrives.”

“Of course! Just rest until then, honey,” she replied, her smile brightening as she shuffled out of the room. I couldn’t help but scoff softly as the door clicked shut behind her.

Naturally, I was more than ready to be discharged. After all, I had merely choked on a bit of chlorinated pool water. Hardly a medical emergency, let alone a near-death experience! But I played my part well enough to keep Cassian by my side.

He had rushed me here in a full-blown panic, his face a mask of worry, but barely five minutes had passed when his phone rang. From the snippets of conversation I overheard, it seemed that someone had informed him that his grandfather had collapsed.

Like a dutiful grandson, off he went, disappearing before I could even muster one of my “please don’t leave me” puppy dog expressions.

Yet, it wasn’t the worst scenario. I could eavesdrop on some juicy gossip since nurses are known to gossip more than a group of teenage girls.

I overheard that Donovan Blackwell had been admitted to the private ward, Room 402, due to cardiac arrest.

Looks like that old fossil was finally cracking under the weight of his own inflated ego! All the better for me, since the sooner he leaves this world, the sooner I can have Cassian all to myself.

I ran my fingers through my hair, attempting to smooth out the tangles that had formed after my unexpected dip in the pool. It would have to do for now.

Adjusting the IV cannula taped to my hand, I decided to step out in my hospital scrubs—after all, it added to the fragile image I wanted to project. I reached for the bouquet of fresh roses the nurse had left earlier and headed straight for Donovan Blackwell’s room.

**Time to collect some brownie points!**

Ward 402: the gold plaque outside the door gleamed as I steeled my expression into one of gentle concern before pushing the door open.

Cassian wasn’t there yet. Inside, Donovan was half-sitting, half-lying on the bed, an IV needle protruding from his hand and a tray of untouched food languishing nearby. His eyes were closed, but they snapped open the moment I greeted him.

“Hello, Mr. Blackwell! Cassian mentioned you weren’t feeling well, so I came to wish you a speedy recovery.”

His face looked tired and gaunt, but he managed to muster an icy scowl, as if he had just spotted a rat scurrying across his pristine restaurant floor.

Old habits die hard, it seems. But I refused to be easily disheartened.

With a wistful sigh, I continued, “Unfortunately, I had a little accident myself today, due to—”

“There was no need for such formality, Reyna,” he interrupted coldly. “And in any case, I don’t appreciate Cassian sharing my affairs with outsiders.”

A fire ignited beneath my skin, and my smile faltered momentarily, only to be twisted back into place with effort.

“I’m sorry if it felt like an intrusion, Grandpa, but I care deeply about Cassian and I’m trying to support him—”

“It’s Mr. Blackwell or Donovan for you. We share no family ties.”

Every ounce of my self-control was tested as I fought the urge to scream.

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