Chapter 290: A Surprise for Gemma
Marcus had no clue.
All he knew was that Gemma liked medicine.
Other than that? No idea.
He’d already given her medical instruments before.
Couldn’t just repeat the same gift.
So, he had to hit the mall and pick something out carefully.
“Let’s all think about it. We gotta give your mom a real surprise.”
Alijah was on the same page.
He wanted to find the perfect gift–something Mom would love the second she saw
But right now… he had zero ideas.
He figured he should head home first.
Dig through everything Gemma had given him before.
Compare them all. That should give him a clue about what she liked.”
“Yeah, I’ll definitely surprise Mom.”
“Dad, let’s make it a competition. See who can make Mom the happiest.”
Marcus chuckled. “Alright, you’re on.”
- it.
“But we better hurry. It’s Mom’s birthday today–we’re already kinda late with our gifts.”
Alijah thought about it. If it were his birthday and he didn’t get a present, he’d be pretty disappointed too.
Even if the gift came the next day, it wouldn’t feel the same.
Marcus ruffled his hair.
“Alright, deal.”
Digby, who had been quietly suffering in the background, “..”
He was just a teacher. Why did he always have to witness these chaotic family moments?
Gemma took Noah skiing again.
Trying to shake off the bad mood from earlier.
Noah stuck to her like a shadow.
Cassius? Totally ignored.
Shawn, watching from the sidelines, smirked.
“Cass, you just got ditched?”
Cassius didn’t say a word, but the air around him dropped several degrees.
Shawn, thoroughly entertained, burst out laughing.
“Wait, wait–you’re not still mad about that idiot Marcus, are you?”
‘Or… are you jealous of your little nephew?”
Cassius turned to look at him.
His gaze burned like fire–murderous fire.
Shawn immediately took a step back.
“No way… Did I actually get that right?”
“Dude, you’re really holding a grudge against a kid?”
Cassius spoke, slow and deliberate.
“Do you know the friction coefficient of snow?”
Shawn, “???”
Before he could process that, he was already face–first in the snow.
“Cass, come on! That was a cheap shot!”
Cassius looked down at him from above.
H
Setting
12:31
Chapter 290: A Surprise for Gemma
“Wanna go again?”
Shawn stared up at the sky, speechless.
Why was he like this? Why couldn’t he just keep his mouth shut?
How had he forgotten that Cassius was the pettiest bastard alive?
Man, his life was hard.
Thea skied over, saw him sprawled out in the snow, and blinked in surprise.
“No way. Did you… forget how to ski? Did you regress?”
Shawn flipped up onto his feet instantly.
“Who said that?! I just–uh, I was hot. Needed to cool off!”
No further discussion allowed!
Thea burst out laughing, doubling over.
“Oh, yeah? Sure, sure. If you say so.”
Shawn, “III”
Teeth clenched.
Eyes full of murder.
“Let’s see how you like it when I teach you a lesson!”
Thea spun around and bolted.
“Help! Shawn’s trying to kill me!”
Gemma skied back with Noah and found only Cassius still standing there.
She raised an eyebrow. “What happened to them?”
Cassius deadpanned. “Playing the chase and run game.”
Gemma, “…”
Noah stifled a laugh. “Oh, I bet Uncle Shawn pulled some kind of stunt.”
Gemma whispered, “Why?”
Noah grinned. “Because Uncle Cass barely ever makes a move. And Uncle Shawn? The only one who can handle him is Uncle Cass.”
2
Shawn must’ve pissed off Cassius and gotten his ass handed to him. Now, trying to save face, he’d gone after his poor, unfortunate apprentice, Thea.
Gemma silently felt bad for Thea.
Mastering a skill was one thing.
But picking the wrong master? That was a whole other level of suffering.
She looked toward the chaos in the distance.
Actually… Looked like Thea had found herself a pretty fun sparring partner
“Feeling better?”
Cassius didn’t care about Shawn’s nonsense.
His voice was quiet, just for her.
Gemma had been in a funk.
Not because of Marcus.
Because of Ali.
Ali’s apology earlier had gotten to her.
For a moment, she’d seen a glimpse of that sweet, thoughtful kid he used to be.
“Yeah, much better.”
“I was overthinking before. A little exercise helped clear my head.”
Ali was a kid.
He had the right to choose his own path.
She wanted him to grow up strong and kind, but… a tree doesn’t grow tall without facing wind and rain.
She’d done her part.
The rest was up to fate.
People had to learn to face the unknown.
‘Skiing’s actually pretty fun. Cassius, wanna go again?”
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Setting
12:31
Chapter 290: A Surprise for Gemma
Cassius nodded. “Sure.”
“Me too!”
Noah shook his gear.
He was decked out in full protective padding.
And only allowed on the beginner slope.
Right on cue, Shawn came sprinting back, and scooped Noah right up.
“Noah, let’s go! Time for some real fun!”
Noah, “?!!”
Before he could protest, Shawn had already hauled him away.
The moonlight was bright.
On the snowy slopes, two figures skied side by side.
Their shadows stretched long, almost touching.
The next morning.
Gemma woke up sore all over.
But last night’s birthday had left her feeling lighter than ever. She felt great.
Even at work, she caught herself smiling for no reason.
Her mind was still full of skiing memories.
Then-
A knock at the door. Christine walked in.
“Dr. Kelestine.”
She stood just inside the doorway.
“The Dolton family is out.”
Gemma wasn’t surprised.
The Doltons had their own legal team, their own damage–control protocols.
It was only a matter of time.
But with their scandal all over the news, they had a PR nightmare to deal with now.
“Are you going back?”
Gemma asked, her voice calm. “You know how they’ll treat you. You should be ready for that.”
Christine nodded.
“Of course, I have to go back. But I came to ask. That’s your home. Are you really never going back?”
Gemma was in a good mood, so she didn’t bother sugarcoating it.
“A home should be a place of love and shelter. Not a place full of schemes and betrayal.”
Christine nodded slowly.
“I see. You have other options. You can afford to walk away from them.”
“But don’t worry–I’ll keep you updated on the Doltons.”
Gemma waved a hand.
“As long as you’re doing well, that’s enough for me. I don’t need anything else.” Christine figured she didn’t want to leave any traces behind, so she didn’t push. She’d been about to say something else, when loud voices erupted from outside. Gemma instantly recognized them. She smirked, ready for the drama. Go on, Christine. Kaiya’s here. That’s a whole mess on its own. Good luck.”
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