The Don Tore Up Our Divorce (Gemma and Cassian) novel Chapter 33

**Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest**
**Chapter 33**

**Gemma**

With a decisive motion, I lower my hand and inscribe my name with an elegant flourish at the bottom of the contract.

A rush of conflicting emotions courses through me as I realize the magnitude of what I’m relinquishing. By not contesting Cassian for a greater share, I’m letting go of an astonishing amount of wealth.

Yet, as I glance at the right-hand column, my gaze lands on Seaside Manor and the promise of my mother’s care. It’s a comforting thought, one that reassures me that I’ve made the right choice. That place holds everything I’ll ever need, a sanctuary for my mother, and that’s worth more than any fortune. Even if I were to lose all my hacking skills overnight, or if fate were to take me away, my mom would be looked after.

I can manage the rest on my own.

As I peruse the contract further, my eyes catch a clause at the bottom stating that the agreement is mutually binding for both parties.

Everything I’ve consented to, Cassian has, too. We’ll be required to appear together in public if necessary, to keep the impending divorce under wraps from his grandfather, and to avoid embarrassing one another in any way.

A flicker of disbelief crosses my mind.

If he were to breach any part of this contract, I’d be entitled to compensation for damages.

It’s a surprisingly equitable arrangement, one that I wouldn’t have expected from my criminal husband.

Rising from my chair, I know I have no intention of spending the night here. Cassian and I have already settled on meeting again on Monday to file the necessary papers with a judge. As I make my way to the door, an unexpected sound interrupts my thoughts—the doorbell rings.

Given the day’s events, I hesitate but then decide to open the door. It’s still relatively early, so it could be anyone.

I shouldn’t be shocked to find Reyna standing there, poised and graceful in a flowing white dress that seems to catch the evening light perfectly.

“Gemma!” she exclaims, her voice bright and cheerful. But as I watch her eyes narrow slightly, I sense the tension in the air. Just then, I hear Cassian’s footsteps approaching from behind me, and Reyna quickly slaps a smile on her face, the facade of friendliness firmly in place.

“Cassian and I are going to the banquet together! You should join us!” she chirps, her tone dripping with insincerity.

I can’t help but scoff, just as Cassian steps up beside me, his gaze landing on Reyna.

I’ve just signed a contract to play the role of his wife, but what’s the point? He already has Reyna to accompany him in public.

“You really are just like your mother,” I retort, unable to contain my frustration.

Rage bubbles up inside me again. Cassian had the audacity to chastise me for walking alongside another man, yet here stands Reyna, ready to attend a gala as his date?

At my words, I see Reyna’s expression shift, her eyes flashing with understanding. She knows precisely what I mean when I compare her to her mother. I mean she’s a damn homewrecker.

Cassian glances sharply between us, and perhaps sensing the hypocrisy of his own behavior, he interjects stiffly, “It’s for some of the upper-level underworld families. I’m taking Reyna because she’s familiar with the people who will be there.”

“Of course,” I reply, my tone devoid of emotion. “She knows them because she’s the one who always attended these events with my father, too.”

I can’t muster the energy to dive into the details tonight. I know she’ll get upset and start telling me what I should have said or done, none of which would have worked on Cassian anyway.

Then I’d have to defend my choices, and we’d dissect the entire encounter, and honestly, I just don’t want to go there.

“Aw, come on,” Zina pleads, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “I had a blast running by a store on the way home and snagging us the hottest dresses! It’s going to be an amazing networking opportunity! Besides, it should be right up your alley.”

“What does that even mean?” I ask, kicking off my shoes and letting out a weary sigh.

Right now, I’m not thinking about a party. I’m envisioning a long, relaxing bath, a dinner consisting solely of snacks, and a few mindless hours of television before surrendering to sleep.

“It means,” Zina elaborates, “that you might know some of the people who will be there.”

I pause, my thoughts shifting as the prospect of a bath fades away. Slowly, I turn to face her, curiosity piqued.

“Zina, tell me very clearly: whose party is this, and what kind of people will be attending?”

Her face lights up with a dazzling grin. “It’s a banquet for all the top families in the mafia!”

A slow, wicked grin spreads across my face, igniting a flicker of excitement within me.

It seems I’ll be attending the banquet after all.