The Don Tore Up Our Divorce (Gemma and Cassian) novel Chapter 193

**Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest**
**Chapter 193**

**Gemma’s POV**

“We’re not staying here another moment! We’re leaving tonight. I don’t care if it’s Spain, Siberia, or some deserted island—anywhere but here. You are not sharing a roof with that piece of trash.”

I find myself curled up beside the headboard, a small ball of anxiety and despair. My eyes are puffy, and my cheeks burn from the relentless stream of tears that have poured forth.

I part my lips to express my gratitude to Zina, but before I can utter a word, the hotel landline interrupts, ringing insistently.

Zina shoots it a glare, as if it were a personal affront to her sanity.

“If that’s him again, I swear—”

With a swift, determined motion, she picks up the receiver. “What is it?”

Silence envelops the room as she listens intently, her expression shifting from anger to disbelief.

“Can you please repeat that? I think I misheard something.”

I straighten up on the couch, a cold dread creeping down my spine like a spider skittering across my skin.

“…Yes, this is his friend. What do you mean, taken away?”

Her gaze flicks toward me for a fleeting moment, a flicker of concern crossing her features.

“Are you sure? Both of them?”

I’m already on my feet by the time she hangs up, adrenaline coursing through my veins.

“What happened?”

“That was the reception. They’ve been trying to reach me. Jace and Cassian got into a fight, and it attracted a crowd. Someone called the police, and now they’ve taken both of them into custody.”

The blood drains from my face, leaving me feeling hollow.

“Zina, what are you—”

“I say it’s for the best! Let him rot in a cell for at least one night; maybe then he’ll face some consequences—”

“No!” I exclaim, my voice rising in panic. “We have to go. Right now.”

My legs tremble beneath me, but I force myself off the bed, determination surging through my veins.

“Gemma, are you really going to rush to his rescue again—”

“We have to go, Zina!” I insist, hastily wiping away the remnants of my tears. “Jace doesn’t deserve to be dragged into this chaos. Cassian will… he’ll—”

I falter, not wanting to voice the dark thought that lurks in my mind. “If this goes to court, do you honestly believe Cassian will pay for it? It’s Jace they’ll target; he doesn’t have a mafia family to shield him.”

Her expression shifts from anger to worry in an instant, realization dawning on her.

“Gemma, I didn’t consider that. I thought they’d find him innocent and—”

“That’s not how the world works, and you know it. I can’t let this happen.”

She studies me for a moment, then curses under her breath, frustration evident in her tone.

“Shit… fine! But I swear to God, if that bastard lays a finger on you again, I’ll break his jaw myself!”

She takes my hand, steadying my steps, but this time, it’s me pulling her out of the room and toward the elevator.

By the time we reach the police station fifteen minutes later, my eyes have dried, but the weight of worry presses heavily against my chest.

We burst into the lobby of the police station, and my mind begins to spiral. Please, let him be okay… I can’t bear the thought of my friend suffering because of the disaster that is my marriage.

Inside, two officers are busy jotting down statements, and I spot Jace sitting on a bench across from them. His cheek is swollen and bruised, yet his eyes light up with recognition when he sees me.

One side of his face is marred with deep purple bruises, and his lip is split, but he holds himself with a surprising strength, speaking to an officer with unwavering conviction.

“Jace…” I swallow hard, forcing my voice to steady. “Please. Let it go.”

His brows furrow in confusion. “You want me to just let it go?”

“You don’t understand how this will end,” I whisper urgently. “He’s not going to back down, and you don’t deserve to drag your entire future into a mess that isn’t even yours.”

Zina stares at me as if I’ve lost my sanity. “No. Gem, no. This isn’t okay; he assaulted you and then beat up Jace, and now you’re—”

“I know.” I squeeze her hand tightly, then turn to the others, my voice firm. “Which is why I need this to stop here.”

Jace clenches his jaw, frustration radiating off him. “…You think I’m afraid of him?”

“I think you’re smart enough not to start a war you can’t win. Please, Jace, do it for me.”

Zina presses her lips into a thin line, her fury simmering beneath the surface. Jace studies me for a long moment, his expression conflicted, then exhales shakily and turns back to the officer.

“Fine, I’ll settle.”

The officer nods in relief, jotting down a few notes before moving away. Across the lobby, Cassian slowly sinks back onto the bench, and Reyna attempts to fuss over him again, but he dismisses her without a word.

“Jace, thank you—”

“You know my capabilities, Gemma.”

His voice is quiet, but just loud enough for me to hear. “If you really don’t want your little lover getting hurt, you better come over now.”

Zina tenses beside me, but I lean in close, whispering in her ear.

“It’s fine, I’ve got this.”

I walk across the lobby slowly, every pulse in my body screaming at me to turn back. Every memory of our last confrontation burns like a fresh wound, yet I still stop in front of him, my heart pounding in my chest.

“What do you want in exchange for not hurting Jace?”