The Don Tore Up Our Divorce (Gemma and Cassian) novel Chapter 166

**TITLE: Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest 166**

**CONTENT: Chapter 166-1**

**Reyna’s POV**

As I walk alongside Rhett, I strive to project an air of confidence, masking the turmoil within me.

I only allow him to hold the door open for a fleeting moment, just long enough for me to offer him a faint smile—a small gesture of gratitude, perhaps, but also a way to keep my distance. I don’t want him beside me during the meeting; I need to assert my independence. Choosing a seat across from him, I settle in alone, deliberately positioning myself as a figure of resilience, someone who still stands tall despite the weight of betrayal heavy on my heart.

I slide into my chair, scanning the room, but Cassian’s gaze remains elusive, not a single glance in my direction yet.

At the head of the table, he stands poised, his demeanor all business.

“Now that you’re all present, let’s commence,” he begins, his voice devoid of warmth. He meticulously reads through a list of project reassignments, the monotony of his tone sending a chill through the air. As he approaches the final item on the agenda, his announcement feels like a bolt from the blue.

“And lastly, I’m assigning Liam to oversee the remaining aspects of the Dumas armory merger. The handover is critical, and with deadlines looming, I need someone dedicated to the task.”

What in the world? That project has been Cassian’s baby; he’s been micromanaging every detail for months. Why would he relinquish control now, when it’s just within reach of completion?

Rhett, clearly bewildered, breaks the stunned silence that hangs in the air.

“But you’ve been directly overseeing that project for months. Why step back now?”

“Because I’ll be out of the country. I’ll be in Nassau with my wife, Gemma.”

My stomach plummets at the mention of her name, but he continues as if it’s nothing.

“We have a final deal with the Nassau Royal Army before the handover, and Liam is more than capable of seeing the other projects to fruition since the due date is in ten days. I’ll be back in two weeks.”

From the back of the room, another employee named Dario shouts,

“Will the handover really take that long, boss?”

Despite my carefully constructed facade, I can’t help but turn my head sharply, my eyes locking onto Cassian’s as I hold my breath. He despises being questioned, especially by his subordinates.

But to my surprise, he doesn’t explode. Instead, his mood shifts, transforming into something almost… lighter.

“No, since I’ll be going there anyway, I decided to take two weeks off and enjoy our vacation too. In any case, I owe Gemma a honeymoon, so it’s a special gift.”

The blood rushes in my ears. Honeymoon?!

A flicker of a smile dances on his lips as he speaks, and my throat tightens, dryness creeping in.

Liam chuckles, and I can’t shake the feeling that he’s laughing at my expense.

“Wait, does that offer extend to your business partners too? Because I haven’t taken a vacation with you either, and islands are definitely my kind of place—”

Cassian smirks, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Sure! As long as you’re willing to take a bullet for me on the return flight, we’d be happy to sponsor you. We’re in need of a pet dog anyway.”

“As long as you promise me unlimited booze and a buffet, I’ll bark and wag my tail for you too!”

Laughter erupts around the table, yet everyone exchanges uncertain smiles. I can hardly believe this… Cassian Blackwell, joking at the office?

My nails bite into my palms. Since when does he care so deeply about that woman? Keeping track of what he owes her, what he must do for her! He has never shown such concern for me, not even once.

Heat rises in my cheeks as I maintain my expression, a portrait of sorrow: head bowed, shadows casting over my eyes, my lips trembling ever so slightly, and a well-timed yet feeble sigh of despair escaping me.

But it feels as though the universe is mocking me.

The one person I had hoped would acknowledge my presence doesn’t even spare me a glance. Instead, Rhett’s gaze finds me, and I can see the pity etched in his features.

“I’m sorry,” he mouths silently, and I shake my head slowly, signaling that it’s nothing, hoping Cassian notices and remembers all that I have endured for him.

Yet he remains oblivious, dismissing the meeting with the sound of chairs scraping against the floor. I begin to walk away, shoulders slumped, feet dragging with the weight of defeat, when his voice slices through the noise.

“Oh, and Reyna?”

**Chapter 166-2**

“So you said. What is it?”

He doesn’t respond immediately, taking a step closer before he snaps.

“Don’t you know what it is? You fired Reyna! After everything. After all her work, her loyalty, her dedication to you! And you didn’t even have the guts to tell her why.”

“This is about Reyna?”

“Of course it is!” He scoffs, his frustration palpable. “She’s shattered, Cassian. You just tossed her aside like she was a used tissue. Do you think you can treat everyone else like garbage—”

“Watch your tone.”

My spine straightens, but he doesn’t relent.

“You should be the one watching your actions before you become a complete puppet at the hands of your wife! I always knew this Gemma girl was trouble—who am I even telling this to? You’ve spent years hearing how she and her mother used to torment Reyna, and yet you let yourself get played? Not cool! That woman has been stirring up drama since day one, and now you’re going to allow her to divide us? The four of us were supposed to be in this together, right? But it seems your precious Gemma has finally shown her true colors.”

“Have you forgotten where you’re standing?”

My voice is low, the tension between us thick enough to feel the rage simmering just beneath the surface, a reminder of who I am when we’re not on friendly terms.

“This is my office, my company. I don’t owe you, or anyone, an explanation for any hiring or firing decisions made here—”

“Bullshit! You didn’t say this when you brought her on board just weeks after she returned from abroad—”

“Exactly, and since you’re so invested, let me clarify something. Unlike you and Liam, Reyna never went through the official channels to secure her position. I brought her in based on our personal connection, and now I have to let her go for her own good before the entire office starts making connections between us and questions about favoritism or worse.”

“You expect me to believe that crap?”

“I don’t care what you believe. But you will not come into my office and speak about my wife like that again—”

My words are abruptly cut off as Rhett lunges forward, grabbing my collar, his fist pressing against my chest.

“Don’t you fucking lie to me, you jerk!”