The Don Tore Up Our Divorce (Gemma and Cassian) novel Chapter 233

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

**Chapter 233**

**Cassian’s POV**

On the screen before me, Zina rises gracefully, extending her hand to Thatcher in a gesture that seems utterly routine, as if sealing the meeting were merely a matter of courtesy. Yet beneath her composed facade, I sense the tempest brewing within her. I can’t help but think that if it were anyone else observing, they might have been deceived by her calm demeanor.

I remain silent, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts, caught in a tug-of-war between strategy and repercussions.

The initial plan had been straightforward: expose Moonlight, obliterate her reputation, and regain the advantage I once held. It was a simple equation—unmask her, and the entire industry would collapse like a house of cards.

But now? Now, the hacker isn’t just another nameless adversary. She is Zina… a shadow cast by Gemma, her anchor in the storm. The very thought of her is a double-edged sword, her only vulnerability.

If I make my move, it won’t merely bring Moonlight crashing down… it would feel like plunging a dagger into Gemma’s back, and she would know exactly who wielded the blade.

“Mr. Blackwell?”

The voice pulls me from my spiraling thoughts.

“With just one press, this feed goes live. The entire industry will know,” Adam states, his tone laced with anticipation.

The temptation is palpable, a siren’s call of power, control, and a twisted sense of justice, all within my grasp. Yet the image of Gemma’s eyes—those deep pools of trust and warmth, now flickering with the fire of betrayal—gives me pause.

I let out a slow, measured breath. “Send the video to my phone.”

Adam hesitates, confusion etched on his face. “Shouldn’t I upload it?”

“Not yet.” My voice is firm, a steel wall against his uncertainty. “Cancel the upload. Shut it down.”

He complies, dispatching the file and severing the stream.

As I rise from my seat, a restless energy courses through me, every muscle taut with tension. The choice before me feels like a searing flame beneath my skin. I should conclude this tonight. But for the first time, I find myself unable to do so.

Because the moment I pull that trigger, I risk losing far more than just a pawn on this chessboard… I risk losing her.

And that is a gamble I am not prepared to take.

**Gemma’s POV**

Finally, I sink into the comfort of my chair, my heart racing after narrowly dodging a confrontation with Cassian. My pulse races, a wild drumbeat beneath my skin.

The atmosphere in the hotel lounge is thick, almost suffocating, though the others around me seem blissfully unaware. With a shaky breath, I slip my headphones over my ears, pretending to immerse myself in music while my gaze remains fixed on the door, alert and watchful.

Across the room, Zina lounges back, sipping her tea with an air of nonchalance. Just then, without any warning, a man clad in a dark suit slides into the seat opposite her.

I lower my lashes, my eyes darting to catch their conversation, adjusting the volume just enough to glean their words.

“Did you receive my proposal?” the man inquires, his tone businesslike.

Zina offers him a thin smile. “I did. That’s why we’re here, isn’t it? To discuss the details.”

I tilt my head slightly, feigning interest in my phone while listening intently. The words exchanged between them flow into my ears like a whispered secret.

Minutes stretch into what feels like an eternity. By the time Zina finally rises from her seat, her expression is carefully controlled, but I can detect the faint crease of worry between her brows.

Without a single glance in my direction, she strides toward the exit.

Soon enough, Zina stands before me, bustling about as she prepares coffee, the three of us gathered at her place for a debriefing session.

“I believe we can take this order; negotiating it should be straightforward,” she asserts confidently.

Jace nods in agreement. “I think they just wanted reassurance that we weren’t trying to pull a fast one. Nothing more.”

I should feel a sense of relief wash over me, but instead, a prickling unease climbs up my spine, and a frown tugs at my eyebrows.

“It doesn’t add up…” I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper.

My mind catches on the word. The rooftop… where Cassian had once cultivated a sprawling field of flowers. I remember the first time I ventured up there, driven by curiosity, only to discover that he had done it all for Reyna, who adored roses.

From that moment on, I never returned to that rooftop during my three years of living here.

So why does he want to summon me there now?

Changing into more comfortable attire, I delay as long as I can, but eventually, I climb the stairs.

Dusk settles around me, and the air cools against my skin as I push open the door. The rooftop garden appears desolate, and there stands Cassian, leaning against the low wall, his back to me.

His shoulders are tense, hands clasped behind him.

I approach him cautiously.

“Hey… do you need something from me?” I ask, my voice tentative.

“Gemma, what are you hiding from me?” he demands, his tone sharp.

My brows shoot up in surprise, though I maintain my composure. “What do you mean, hiding? If you’re referring to my day with Jace, there’s nothing to explain—”

“No.”

He inhales deeply, as if struggling to keep his emotions in check. “You know exactly what I mean. Why did you go to the hotel today?”

“Can’t I visit a hotel for a meal? Is it your hotel? Did you reserve it, making it off-limits to everyone else?”

At that, he pivots sharply, closing the distance between us in an instant, his hand gripping my arm tightly.

His touch is warm against my cool skin.

“Moonlight! Do I need to make myself clearer?”

My heart stutters, caught in a web of confusion and fear.