The Don Tore Up Our Divorce (Gemma and Cassian) novel Chapter 521

Chapter 521

Gemma’s POV

+3 Bonus

The tension in the room eases, but it doesn’t disappear.

I meet his gaze, finding guilt his eyes. “Thank you for understanding.”

The words feel inadequate, but they’re all I have.

Cassian shifts forward, his focus sharpening on the practical

next step.

“That guy is just a pawn in someone else’s game. I have

already arranged for him to meet with whoever is pulling the strings. Soon, we’ll find out who’s really behind this.”

The determination in his eyes is like a cold fire. I know what

it means. He will hunt this person. The debt of fear they’ve made me carry will be collected, with interest.

William nods, accepting this. He turns his apology into a firm boundary. “Gemma, I apologize for my brother’s actions. Even though he shares my blood, his behavior doesn’t reflect

+3 Bonus

< Chapter 521

who I am. I won’t plead for him.” It’s the statement everyone in the room expected, but hearing it from him solidifies it into

truth.

Zina, ever practical, voices the next obvious question. “What about your parents?”

William’s response is curt, final. “They don’t need to know about this.” He doesn’t elaborate, but the hard set of his jaw tells the story–a father’s infidelity, a family rift, a mother’s lasting bitterness. An illegitimate child is a ghost best left unacknowledged. Stirring those old wounds helps no one,

least of all me.

“William, thank you for being so understanding,” I say again, eling the weight of his position. This decision, to side with me over blood, can’t be easy.

He sinks back into the couch, rubbing the back of his neck, a telltale sign of his own stress. “Once the twenty–eight days are up and we get the test results, whatever the outcome, I’ll take responsibility.”

The phrase take responsibility lands like a lit match in dry

tinder.

2/9

11:01

+3 Bonus

< Chapter 521

Cassian’s head snaps up, his guard slamming into place so fast it’s almost audible. “Why does my wife need you to take responsibility?”

The possessiveness in his voice is raw, sharp–edged.

“Who’s your wife?”

“Mind your tongue!”

“Yeah, I’m not your wife-”

Zina and I chime in almost in unison. But William remains

unfazed, clarifying in his calm tone. “What I meant was that I’ll cover all the medical expenses.”

It’s a gesture of guilt, an attempt to shoulder a part of the

burden.

Cassian scoffs, the sound dismissive. “We don’t need your

charity.”

I can practically hear his unspoken monologue filled with arrogance, claiming that he isn’t that broke yet, that he’ll need someone to pay for my own wife’s treatment.

3/9

11:01

+3 Bonus.

< Chapter 521

William’s phone buzzes then, a welcome interruption. He glances at it, then back at us. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll just

head out.”

I nod. The core of why I called him here is done. Everything

else–the awkwardness, Cassian’s bristling–is just noise.

“Thank you for coming, William.”

He stands, pausing at the door. His final words are for me alone, repeated and reinforced. “Gemma, I’m truly sorry for what’s happened. I have no objections to how you choose to handle that guy.” Then he’s gone, the door closing softly behind him, leaving a different silence in his wake.

The second the latch clicks, Zina spins toward me, her earlier solemnity vanishing, replaced by a vibrant, almost manic energy. “Hey, how about we go fishing tomorrow?”

I blink. “Fishing?” The non–sequitur is so abrupt it takes my brain a moment to catch up. Where did that come from?

“I checked the weather, and it looks like it’ll be nice!” she insists, her eyes sparkling. “Plus, it’ll be a great way to unwind and connect with nature. Come on, what do you say?” Her enthusiasm is a physical force, a determined attempt to drag me out of my own head.

4/9

11:01

+3 Bonu

< Chapter 521

“Do you know any good fishing spots around here?” I ask, curious despite myself.

She nods vigorously. “Absolutely! Jeremy mentioned a place just the other day!” The plan, I realize, has been brewing. This is her prescription: sunlight, water, distraction. A way to pull me out of this house of fear and waiting. “Has Jeremy gone back yet?” I ask.

She glances at the calendar on the wall. “Not yet, but he might be able to join us tomorrow.”

consider it. The fatigue is there, a constant low hum from the pregnancy and the stress, but I’m not bedridden. I’m not sick. If the test results come back positive in twenty–eight days, I’ll have plenty of time to sulk, I think, a grim but logical clarity settling over me. For now, I should just try to forget about it.

feel Cassian and Mikhail watching me, waiting. They don’t ush. They just observe, letting this be my choice.

fter a long, thoughtful pause, I finally give in to the pull

of Zina’s hopeful smile, to the idea of a normal day. “If the weather’s nice tomorrow, let’s go!”

5/9

11:01

+3 Bonus

< Chapter 521

“Do you know any good fishing spots around here?” I ask, curious despite myself.

She nods vigorously. “Absolutely! Jeremy mentioned a place just the other day!” The plan, I realize, has been brewing. This is her prescription: sunlight, water, distraction. A way to pull me out of this house of fear and waiting. “Has Jeremy gone back yet?” I ask.

She glances at the calendar on the wall. “Not yet, but he

might be able to join us tomorrow.”

I consider it. The fatigue is there, a constant low hum from the pregnancy and the stress, but I’m not bedridden. I’m not sick. If the test results come back positive in twenty–eight days, I’ll have plenty of time to sulk, I think, a grim but logical clarity settling over me. For now, I should just try to forget

about it.

I feel Cassian and Mikhail watching me, waiting. They don’t push. They just observe, letting this be my choice.

After a long, thoughtful pause, I finally give in to the pull

of Zina’s hopeful smile, to the idea of a normal day. “If the weather’s nice tomorrow, let’s go!”

5/9

11:01

+3 Bonus

< Chapter 521

Zina erupts, throwing her arms in the air. “Okay, yes! We’re going fishing!”

Mikhail’s POV

The day’s tensions finally settle into an uneasy quiet. I’m in

he living room, idly scrolling through some new TV shows on

my tablet, when Zina’s voice cuts through the silence from

the hallway.

at’s it, I’m staying here tonight! Gemma, we’re sharing a room, Jeremy can sulk alone for all I care.”

I look up just in time to see her loop her arm through Gemma’s with a familiar, easy affection. Gemma doesn’t pull away. She offers a tired but genuine smile, leaning into Zina’s support. “Okay. That sounds good.”

They vanish upstairs, and a moment later, the soft but firm click of a bedroom door locking echoes faintly down the

stairwell.

still standing in the hallway, like a statue of

t and dissatisfaction. I watch him for a second, the of his shoulders, the way he stares at the empty top

11:01

< Chapter 521

of the stairs.

+3 Bonu

He’s practically vibrating with jealousy, it’s almost funny.

He stalks back into the living room, I don’t look up from the screen to acknowledge him.

“What’s got you all worked up?”

I ask after a few seconds, though I know exactly what’s got him worked up.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify