The Don Tore Up Our Divorce (Gemma and Cassian) novel Chapter 30

**Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest**
**Chapter 30**

**Gemma**

The following morning dawns bright and early. Zina and I rise with the sun, the air crisp with the promise of a new day. After a quick breakfast, we set out to explore the apartment that Zina had discovered for me.

Despite her cheerful demeanor, an unsettling feeling lingers in my chest—a nagging suspicion that Zina might have an ulterior motive. Yet, as we navigate through the process, she maintains her usual upbeat attitude, and everything unfolds seamlessly.

When we finally arrive at the apartment, I’m taken aback by its beauty. The location is perfect, nestled in a vibrant neighborhood, and the furnishings are modern and inviting. It feels like a dream come true. Without a moment’s hesitation, I use the funds I earned from the Nautilus job to secure the place, paying upfront.

A wave of independence washes over me; for the first time in a long while, I feel like I’m stepping into the life I’ve always envisioned for myself.

Just as Zina and I are about to leave, the door to the apartment across the hall swings open, and a figure emerges. Our eyes lock, and a gasp escapes my lips. “Jace?! What are you doing here?”

**Ba**

Back in my college days, when I was at the helm of a team of hackers, Jace Pearson was a standout talent among them. His skills rivaled my own, and I often marveled at his potential.

He had come from the shadows of obscurity. Despite being a prodigy with technology, he was painfully awkward in social situations. I remember how he rarely bothered to shower, his long, dark brown hair perpetually greasy and unkempt. The oversized glasses he wore swallowed his face, making his hazel eyes appear enormous and almost vulnerable.

If I hadn’t taken the initiative to recruit him, I shudder to think where Jace might have ended up.

Back then, we weren’t truly friends—just a boss and his employee. When I left to marry, the team disbanded, and even Zina had lost track of most of them.

Yet, here stands Jace, a familiar figure from my past. He’s donned a hat, and his hood is pulled up, obscuring his hair, but the glasses remain, a testament to his unchanged nature.

He gazes at me, lips pressed tightly together, silence enveloping us like a shroud.

It seems he hasn’t outgrown his shyness.

“Do you live there?” I ask, gesturing toward the door he just exited.

“Yes,” he replies, his voice flat and devoid of inflection. Jace has always been a man of few words.

Zina chimes in, her voice bright, “Jace left the city for a while, but he’s back now and reached out to me recently. He’s even better than before, so naturally, I had to bring him on board!”

She sends Jace a playful wink, but he merely blinks at her, his expression unchanging.

As we stroll down the street, we pass several upscale restaurants, where well-dressed patrons indulge in lavish meals. We don’t even consider stepping inside, knowing we’re on the hunt for something a bit more budget-friendly.

While we walk, Jace notices the bag of paperwork from the apartment purchase that I’m holding. “I could carry that for you if you’d like,” he offers, his voice surprisingly gentle.

The combination of my purse and the bag makes my arms feel heavy, so I gladly pass it over to him.

He takes it effortlessly, slinging it over his shoulder as if it weighs nothing. I can’t help but observe the way the muscles around his wrists flex as he adjusts the bag.

Three years ago, Jace was a scrawny nerd, but now he’s transformed—his shoulders are broad beneath the hoodie and denim jacket he wears.

What has he been up to all this time?

Zina cracks a joke that sends us both into fits of laughter. Just then, a buzzing interrupts the moment, and I instinctively reach into my pocket.

My phone lights up with an incoming call, and I frown as I see the name on the screen. A chill runs down my spine, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

Cassian is calling me.