The Don Tore Up Our Divorce (Gemma and Cassian) novel Chapter 216

**Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth**
**by Eli Dane Crest**
**Chapter 216**

**Gemma’s POV**

As I meticulously fold the laundry, the rhythmic sound of fabric rustling fills the air, a comforting backdrop to my thoughts. Suddenly, my phone buzzes against the countertop, its screen illuminating with an incoming message. I glance down, my heart sinking at the sight of Cassian’s name.

[Grandpa is coming to Oakhaven. Get back here quickly, we can’t afford to blow our cover.]

The words hit me like a cold wave. Donovan is coming here? Just two days after our return? It seems he’s eager to dive into his favorite pastime: investigating our lives, especially our marriage.

“Damn it…!”

I mutter under my breath, nearly dropping the phone as another notification pings.

[Half an hour, max. Don’t be late.]

Without a second thought, I toss the neatly folded clothes back into the basket, urgency propelling my movements. I grab my bag and shove my keys inside, my mind racing. The book I promised Jace sits innocently on the counter, and I snatch it up, planning to drop it off quickly on my way out.

As I swing open the door, I nearly collide with Jace, who stands on my doorstep, his hand poised mid-knock, surprise etched across his face.

“Gemma,” he exclaims, eyes wide. “Heading out somewhere?”

I nod, feeling a mix of anxiety and urgency. “Yeah, I need to get back to Oakhaven right away.”

He studies me closely, concern flickering in his eyes. “You look too pale… Gemma, did something happen?”

“Not really. Just… family stuff,” I reply, forcing a shaky smile that doesn’t quite reach my eyes. “I was actually coming to give this to you—”

“Want me to see you off? You don’t look like you’re in a state to be rushing alone.”

His offer is unexpected, and I hesitate for a moment, weighing my options. Finally, I relent. “Fine. Thanks.”

We descend the stairs together, and curiosity gets the better of me. “Jace… that woman you were with? Amanda! Is she your girlfriend?”

His head snaps toward me, shock evident on his face. “What!? No!”

The fervor in his response surprises me, and I blink, caught off guard by the intensity of his denial. “I was just asking out of curiosity…”

“She’s not my girlfriend.”

He emphasizes each word as if trying to convince himself as much as me. “I don’t like her. At all.”

“Oh. Well… she seemed close to you, that’s all. You don’t need to explain anything—”

Jace shakes his head vigorously. “You must have misunderstood something. She came to discuss a work project, that’s it. Nothing more.”

I nod quickly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear, feeling awkward for even bringing it up. I had thought I could help my friend navigate his first relationship, but now I feel the weight of my own misstep.

Fortunately, a cab pulls up just in time, rescuing me from the awkwardness. Jace opens the door for me, and I slip inside, murmuring a thank you as I settle into the seat.

*****

“I’m sorry I got late; it was the first day of work…”

I rush into the house, my heart racing as I launch into a barrage of excuses, only to find the living room eerily quiet, save for Cassian, who lounges on the sofa, engrossed in his phone as though the world around him doesn’t exist.

“Where’s Grandpa?”

I ask, breathless and anxious, but he doesn’t even bother to look up. “He left; you were too late.”

My jaw drops in disbelief. “What? I rushed here the second you texted me!”

“Doesn’t matter,” he replies dismissively. “He only waited this long because he likes you…”

A wave of guilt washes over me, but then I catch the smug smile tugging at his lips, and clarity strikes.

“You tricked me, didn’t you? He never came here!”

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