The Don Tore Up Our Divorce (Gemma and Cassian) novel Chapter 49

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

**Chapter 49**

**Claire**

As I sit at the table, my boredom is palpable, a dull ache in my chest from the monotony of this ridiculous event. My gaze drifts around the room until it lands on him—the striking guy I spotted at the mall just a few days ago.

For a fleeting moment, I convince myself that Gemma isn’t with him. But then I catch sight of her, striding away with that self-satisfied smirk plastered on her face.

My hands ball into tight fists, the pressure building within me. If I don’t restrain myself, I might just drive my perfectly manicured nails into the polished surface of the table, and that would ruin my thousand-dollar custom manicure.

That insufferable witch. I can hardly believe that Grandpa fell for whatever twisted scheme she concocted, leading Cassian to marry her.

If word ever gets out, it will shatter the Blackwell family name into a million irreparable pieces. Her family is nothing but a farce—a disgrace to everything we stand for. Our reputation is at stake here.

What would people think if they knew we allowed a freak from the failed Marino family to infiltrate ours? The mere thought of her being married to Cassian makes my stomach churn. It would be the end of us. Her blood is tainted.

The other bosses will inevitably see Cassian as weak.

And God forbid she ever has a child.

That child would carry the same stain.

I’d sooner drown that brat in a river than let Gemma’s offspring think they have any claim to our family’s legacy.

Cassian didn’t even bother to respond to my text the other day, the one with the picture of Gemma and that guy from the mall. It’s infuriating, but whatever. Part of me is relieved that he hasn’t committed cold-blooded murder against Jace. I mean, he is undeniably attractive. Even in those casual clothes at the mall, he had a magnetic charm.

But tonight? In that tailored suit? He looks like a prince straight out of a fairytale.

Since I couldn’t shake him from my mind after our last encounter, I took it upon myself to do a little digging. Turns out, he’s some sort of prodigy hacker who mysteriously vanished for a while before resurfacing.

As soon as I see Gemma put enough distance between herself and him, I rise from my seat, determination coursing through me.

If Cassian isn’t going to keep his secret wife in line, then I’ll just have to teach her a lesson by making a move on her man.

Someone that incredibly sexy deserves to be flaunted by someone of my caliber.

I approach him, feigning an accidental collision, and let myself stumble back a little. He catches me, and I can’t help but notice how strong his hands feel against me.

Then, as he looks down and recognizes me, he lets go so abruptly that I almost stumble again!

I brush it off, assuming he’s simply taken aback by the privilege of conversing with someone as significant as myself.

“I’m so sorry!” I exclaim, my voice laced with feigned surprise. I gasp dramatically, a smile spreading across my lips as I look up at him through my thick, luxurious lashes. “Oh! It’s you! We met at the mall the other day.”

He doesn’t respond, just stares at me with those intense eyes, so I press on, eager to fill the silence. “I’m Claire. I don’t think we were properly introduced, so you might not remember me. I’m part of the Blackwell family. Cassian Blackwell is my cousin.”

“I remember you,” he replies, his voice low and steady. “You tried to stab Gemma in the face.”

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