Chapter 53
Gemma
“Wow,” I say. “I thought you didn’t do social media. I guess I was wrong. That was fast.”
“Answer the question,” he says.
His voice carries that quiet, cold anger again. When he sounds like this is the only time he really scares me.
It’s when I see the side of him I usually don’t, and I remember who I’m dealing with.
A drug smuggler. An arms dealer. A cold–blooded killer.
A man who is used to getting his way…but not with me. Not
anymore.
“Yes. I sold the ring.” I can hear the weariness in my own voice. “I thought you’d be thrilled. After all, you told her to get something she liked. She really, really likes that ring. She always has.”
“Why would I be thrilled?” he demands. “I got that ring for you. I had it made for you.”
A ring that looked like the sky to remind me what he really loved?
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That he’d always have things he valued over me?
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Cassian hadn’t had that ring made for me. He wouldn’t even know what kind of ring to make me–even though that one actually is a
really close guess.
But he didn’t know me, so how could the ring be for me?
Hell, I’d never even been his friend. That’s the problem. Real romances, ones that work, are built on trust and liking the person.
I’ve always liked Cassian. From the first time I saw him, I’ve liked spending time with him, liked talking to him, liked his humor and his wit and his sense of duty and loyalty.
Deep down, I even like that he’s so dangerous.
But it was always one–sided, and one–sided relationships can never last.
“Our marriage is over, Cassian.”
“In a year,” he shoots back. “Not yet.”
“Yes, yet!” I’m so done with this. With him. “I don’t give a fuck about our deal, Cassian! Sign the stupid papers and end this! I don’t know why you love torturing me so much when you could just divorce me tomorrow and marry the woman you actually want
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to be with!”
I hang up on him.
He tries to call me.
I dismiss the call.
(17 min left
He calls again.
I block his number.
My phone goes blissfully silent.
I spend the next few days wondering if he’ll do more like he has in the past. If he’ll show up at Zina’s or find out about my new place.
But I hear nothing. I want to be happy, but the ache in my chest won’t go away. It’s always there when he’s not around.
It’s that feeling of just wanting to be with someone who could make me happy with so little effort.
But even if he’s that person for me, I’m not that person for him, and I need to stop feeling this way.
If I don’t, all of this heartache was for nothing.
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A few days later, I’m working on the couch when my phone rings.
It’s the hospital.
I pick up immediately. “Hello?”
“Gemma. It’s Dr. Rojas.”
“Hey, Dr. Rojas,” I say, nerves rolling through me. “Is everything okay with my mom?”
Instead of answering directly, he says, “Do you remember that drug I was telling you about the last time you were here?”
My nerves turn to excitement, and I perk up. “Yes! You said you were hopeful that they’d significantly improve her condition and that she was at the top of the list to get them! Has the shipment arrived?”
He pauses, and suddenly my nerves are back and worse than
ever.
“Doctor?”
“I have good news and bad news,” he says. “The meds are here…but you know we only have a limited supply. I was going to administer them to your mother this morning, but…it seems she’s no longer on the list to receive them.”
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It feels like a dark pit has opened up beneath me. I clutch the arm of the couch. “What do you mean?”
He sighs, and I can hear the frustration in his voice. “Gemma, you know I don’t have any say in these things. It’s all done by the
board.”
“How did this happen?” I can hear how high–pitched my voice is, how shaky. Dr. Rojas must be able to hear that I’m on the verge of tears. “The list was in order. Mom was first. You said so.”
“It’s the board’s call. Not mine. We’ll just have to wait. In a couple of years, the drug should be approved for mass manufacturing and then there won’t be a list anymore.”
“No!” I’m suddenly standing, my computer lying forgotten on its side on the couch. “No way. My mom needs this. You said this medicine could make things better.”
My mom had up and down days. Last time I visited with Cassian, she’d been up. Almost normal. The time after that? Down. Very, very down. It was like she didn’t even know me.
“Do you know who took my mother’s spot?” I ask. I breathe deeply and try to remain calm.
I can go to Cassian about this. I’m not too proud. Not when it comes to my mom. I don’t care that I just told him I don’t need him.
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Dr. Rojas lowers his voice. “All I know is a call was made to the hospital, and then she was removed.“.
“Who called?” I demand. “Who has that kind of power?”
He whispers into the phone, “Cassian Blackwell.”
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