The Don Tore Up Our Divorce (Gemma and Cassian) novel Chapter 83

**Chapter 83**

**Gemma**

Cassian emerged from the bathroom, dressed in a simple yet undeniably luxurious ensemble. He wore a black casual shirt, its fabric soft and finely woven, paired with well-fitted gray pants that accentuated his tall frame. The combination was understated, but the quality spoke volumes.

He must have just stepped out of the shower; his hair was still slightly damp, and a warm, woody scent wafted through the air, enveloping me in a comforting embrace. It was his scent—familiar and intoxicating.

I couldn’t help but admire him, even as I attempted to focus on the cards in my hand. He looked so incredibly attractive, and I chastised myself internally. Snap out of it, Gemma!

“What’s making you smile over there?” Sibille interrupted my thoughts, a teasing glint in her eyes. “You think you’ve got this game in the bag?”

I stole a quick glance at her, then coughed lightly, suppressing the smile that had crept onto my lips before I even realized it. Just as I was about to play a card, Cassian’s voice cut through the tension. “Wait,” he said, his expression serious yet playful. My hand froze mid-air as I turned to him, catching a hint of a frown on his handsome face.

“The Ace of Spades,” he whispered, his voice low enough that only I could hear.

With a nod, I followed his lead, tossing down the Ace of Spades onto the table.

Nathalia rolled her eyes, scoffing at me. “Looks like you needed a man’s help to win,” she remarked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

I couldn’t help but think that if it weren’t for that card, she might have claimed victory. “Aww… Sorry about that,” I replied with a smirk. “Maybe next time, you should find a man who actually has your back.”

From behind me, I could hear Cassian snort, clearly enjoying my retort. It seemed he took delight in my ability to put his family members in their place.

Thanks to Cassian’s subtle guidance, Nathalia was forced to resort to Plan B. Initially, the others thought it was merely a coincidence that I was winning, but Cassian was determined to ensure my success. He stayed right behind me, his presence a comforting anchor as he guided my hands through the game.

Before long, I found myself racking up wins, much to the surprise of everyone at the table. They had anticipated my stubbornness, assuming I would refuse to accept Cassian’s advice. But as the rounds progressed, it became clear that I was on a roll, and the three of them were quickly falling behind.

“Cassian, that’s fucking cheating! Spectators can’t give advice! You’re crossing a line!” Claire grumbled, her face a mask of frustration.

Cassian merely shrugged, unfazed by her outburst.

“Gemma, why are you taking this game so seriously? We’ve won a few times, and now you’re relying on Cassian to help you. Are you really that concerned about a few thousand dollars? For someone like Mrs. Blackwell, that’s pretty stingy,” Claire continued, her tone mocking.

“Claire!” Cassian’s voice, though not loud, held an authority that made Claire fall silent immediately.

“What’s your deal lately? Why are you always helping Gemma?” she pouted, her annoyance palpable.

“Gemma and I are married, so why wouldn’t I help her?” Cassian shot back, leveling his gaze at the three women. The room fell silent; no one dared to challenge him.

“Gemma is my wife, and this is her home. If you three are going to behave like this, don’t bother coming back,” he declared firmly.

Claire’s hand trembled slightly as she resumed dealing the cards, clearly taken aback by his words. She seemed stunned into submission, unwilling to argue further.

I approached quietly from behind her. “You know, your legs should really be under the table,” I said with a smirk. “It’s important to maintain a graceful posture while eating. I’m surprised, Claire. I thought you were raised with better manners. Did you forget them while you were away at school, or did you never bother to learn them at all?”

Claire’s expression shifted from surprise to frustration, her face flushing red as she quickly pulled her leg back under the table, trying to hide her embarrassment.

The rest of lunch passed without incident; thankfully, it seemed as though the wind had been taken out of their sails. Nathalia’s plan to persuade Cassian to offer Claire a job had clearly backfired, and once the meal was concluded, there was little reason for them to linger.

I settled onto the couch, finally enjoying a moment of peace when Cassian approached me. I picked up the leather gift box and handed it to him.

“Here, take it back,” I said, my voice firm.

He shot me a curious glance but remained silent, his expression inscrutable.

I took a deep breath, choosing to avoid his gaze. “I didn’t know that gift was meant for Reyna. Claire was trying to provoke me, and I just said it was for me. I’m sorry. I never intended to take Reyna’s things,” I confessed, placing the box on the table and sliding it toward him.

“Who said this necklace is for Reyna?” he asked, a hint of confusion in his tone.

“I just assumed it was,” I replied, my heart racing. If it wasn’t for Reyna, then who was it for? Cassian would never buy something like this for me.

“Whoever it’s for, she—”

But Cassian cut me off, his voice steady. “Gemma, the necklace is for you.”