The Don Tore Up Our Divorce (Gemma and Cassian) novel Chapter 250

**Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest 250**

**Chapter 250**

As Cassian stood in the dim light of the hallway, he felt an unexpected rush of warmth wash over him. His gaze was drawn to the staircase, where his wife was making her entrance. Her copper-red hair was pulled back into a casual ponytail, and she wore a bright red football jersey that seemed to glow against the muted backdrop of their home. The simplicity of her attire was deceiving; on her, it radiated an effortless allure that struck him like a bolt of lightning.

He had always recognized her beauty, but today, the sight of her slinging her bag over her shoulder hit him with a force he couldn’t quite articulate. It was as if time had stood still for her; not a single wrinkle marred her youthful visage, no shadows of worry or fatigue lingered there. In stark contrast, Cassian found himself drawn to the mirror nearby. He caught a glimpse of his own reflection and felt a pang of despair. The sharper lines of his jaw, the dark circles that had taken residence beneath his eyes, and the faint crease on his forehead that hadn’t existed three years prior all screamed of the passage of time.

A frown creased his brow as he pressed his fingers against his temple, trying to ward off the unsettling thoughts. Do I really look that much older? Is that why she seems to be drifting away from me? The realization hit him like a cold wave; the sting of self-doubt was sharper than he anticipated. Could it be that she had grown weary of the sight of him?

Cassian shook his head, frustration bubbling within him. He was losing his grip, standing there like an insecure fool, measuring himself against his wife. With a determined effort, he rubbed the back of his neck and forced a neutral expression, hoping she wouldn’t catch on to the turmoil swirling inside him.

“Okay. I’ll be out for most of the day anyway,” she said, bending down to tie her shoelaces, her focus entirely elsewhere.

“Where are you going?” The question slipped from his lips before he could rein it in.

She straightened up, meeting his gaze with an intensity that sent a shiver down his spine. “You don’t need to know everything.”

“It’s not about needing to know; it’s just me worrying about you—”

“Worrying? Or controlling?” Her words landed like a slap, leaving him momentarily stunned.

“If it was about control, I’d stop you from going. I’m only asking; there’s a difference,” he countered, trying to keep his voice steady.

For a fleeting moment, he saw a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes, as if she recognized the potential for him to follow her. Yet, she shook her head, her ponytail swishing back and forth. “I’ll be back tonight, that’s all you need to know.” With that, she opened the door and slipped out, leaving him standing there, staring at his reflection once more. Had he really just questioned his own appearance?

I’m losing my mind. Absolutely losing it.

—

As the day wore on, Cassian found himself wandering through the college campus, a place that once held so much promise and excitement. He noticed a group of students gathered near a booth, their expressions serious as they twisted Rubik’s cubes in their hands. Curiosity piqued, he approached them.

“Hey,” he said to the girl sitting closest to him. “Can people who aren’t from this college participate too?”

Her eyes widened in surprise, as if she hadn’t expected him to address her. “Of course! The race is timed. If you can solve it in under a minute, you qualify to join.”

A faint smile crept onto his face. “Sounds fun.” With no one else in line, he took a seat at the empty chair, feeling the weight of their gazes upon him. The student responsible for timing nearly dropped his phone when he noticed Cassian, his cheeks turning a bright shade of crimson as he fumbled to get the timer ready.

Cassian could hear the whispers from the students behind him. “Such a pretty girl, in our club booth?” one remarked, while another added, “If… if you’re ready, I’ll press start…”

He could sense their skepticism, but it only fueled his determination.

—

Memories flooded back to him, transporting him to a time when he was first introduced to the Backwell family by his grandfather. In those early days, he had felt so isolated during family gatherings, and his Rubik’s cube had been his only companion. That was until Cassian had seen him with it and deemed it childish. After that, he had set it aside, seeking his wife’s approval and abandoning a part of himself in the process.

Now, as he prepared to compete, regret washed over him. How foolish it had been to give up something he loved simply to gain someone’s acceptance.

Just as the boy was about to press the button, a voice broke through the moment. “Who let her in? What is she going to do? Just show off her beauty? A genetic lottery, instead of something she earned.”

Cassian looked up to see a tall boy approaching, his expression one of disdain. The girl beside him frowned. “Charles, that’s blatant discrimination. What if she can solve it?”

He smirked, folding his arms across his chest. “If she can solve it under a minute, I’ll stand upside down and eat shit.”

The girl gasped, her eyes wide. “Really? Then let’s bet. Whoever loses does it!”

Charles seemed smug, but the girl hesitated, wrinkling her nose. “Actually, it’s disgusting! How about whoever loses has to run through the whole campus thrice while announcing they’re an idiot?”

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