The Don Tore Up Our Divorce (Gemma and Cassian) novel Chapter 203

**Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest 203**

**Chapter 203**

**Gemma’s POV**

As Linda and her fiancé, Jones, settled into their seats, a wave of relief washed over the table. The atmosphere, once thick with tension, began to lighten just a bit.

Jones wore a polite smile, his demeanor relaxed, while Linda greeted each person at the table with an infectious warmth that seemed to brighten the room. Her smile, genuine and inviting, reached every face, leaving a trail of comfort in its wake.

But when her gaze fell upon Mikhail, there was a noticeable shift in her tone.

“Mikhail, it’s been a while,” she said, her voice softening as if she were addressing an old friend.

I glanced at him, my heart racing with curiosity about how he would react. Before I could even begin to process my thoughts, Linda’s eyes darted towards me, her surprise evident.

“And this must be your girlfriend?” she inquired, her voice laced with genuine curiosity.

For a fleeting moment, I was taken aback. Girlfriend? The word hung in the air like a delicate crystal, and my lips parted instinctively, ready to correct her with the precise title of my role in Mikhail’s life.

But before I could gather my thoughts, Mikhail, with an air of casual confidence, draped an arm along the back of my chair.

“Yes, my girlfriend, Gemma!” he declared smoothly, without a hint of hesitation.

I turned sharply to him, my eyes wide with disbelief, a silent question screaming in my mind.

Girlfriend? He hadn’t even given me a heads-up—how typical of him!

Yet, the moment was already unfolding, and everyone around us was staring with a mix of surprise and intrigue. I plastered a faint smile on my face and nodded, trying to mask my confusion.

Linda’s face lit up, completely unaware of the turmoil brewing within me.

“I’m so glad! It’s lovely to finally meet you. Mikhail may seem a bit difficult at first, but trust me, he’s a good one. I hope you’ll find happiness together,” she said warmly, her sincerity evident.

However, her words seemed to strike a nerve with Mikhail, and I could see his expression harden.

“You speak as if you know how I treat people… especially my girlfriend!” he interjected, his voice laced with coldness.

“But don’t be mistaken; you don’t really know what kind of person I am. Not anymore.”

In an instant, the table fell silent, as if someone had pressed ‘pause’ on reality. The lively chatter that had filled the air evaporated, leaving an uncomfortable stillness in its wake. Even Jones, who had been wearing a polite smile, looked increasingly uneasy.

I knew I had to intervene before this spiraled out of control. I reached for his hand, gently guiding it away from the glass he was about to grip too tightly.

“You’ve had enough for now…” I murmured softly, my voice barely above a whisper. “Let me get you some water instead…”

He tensed under my touch, but I noticed his glare softened just a fraction.

Some of the anger seemed to dissipate, and I silently thanked the universe that he didn’t shrug me off.

Turning back to the group, I attempted to lighten the mood with a light laugh.

“He gets grumpy when he drinks too much; please don’t mind him. You all know how his temper can be…”

A few chuckles erupted around the table, though I caught a flicker of concern in Linda’s eyes. I studied her quietly for the remainder of the evening, noting how effortlessly graceful she was. The way she carried herself, the way she listened intently to everyone—it was dignified and yet completely natural.

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