Breaking Mr. Cold (Giselle and Donovan) novel Chapter 273

But none of that mattered to Giselle anymore. After surviving such a harrowing descent into hell, the only thing that truly mattered was being alive.

Donovan had sat through her entire statement to the police, finally learning what had happened to her during those two months she'd been missing.

His gaze stayed fixed on her for a long time, but he couldn't seem to find words that didn't feel hollow or inadequate. Nothing he could say would capture the storm of emotions crashing in his chest.

Yes, only now did he truly know this woman. Before, it was as if he hadn't known her at all.

Silently, he remained by her bedside, pulling a tissue to gently wipe the sweat from her forehead. When he finished, he brushed his fingers along her cheek. "Rest. Don't overthink it. I'll take you home this afternoon."

She wasn't used to this kind of tender attentiveness and pushed his hand away, turning her face aside. "Thank you for your help. You should go back to your work. The police are here, and I'm safe now."

Her cool, polite tone sat heavy in his chest.

He would have preferred a slap to the face, it would have hurt less.

"Don't worry." He clasped her hands tightly in both of his, his gaze locking on hers with uncharacteristic intensity. "I'm not leaving you again, not even for a moment."

"This whole ordeal had nothing to do with you from the very beginning. Even if I'd died, it wouldn't have been your fault. You don't owe me any guilt. Still, I'm truly grateful for everything you've done today."

She realized that now, back home, the hatred she once carried for this man was gone. There was no hate, but no love either. She saw him simply as a familiar acquaintance—someone she could speak to in a normal tone.

Yet her calm detachment only made it harder for him to breathe.

"Oh, and one more thing," Giselle added, turning to him. "Get in touch with Gideon for me. Let him know what happened. He must be worried sick."