Breaking Mr. Cold (Giselle and Donovan) novel Chapter 502

"If anything happens to Giselle, I won't have the strength or will to keep leading the company," Donovan said weakly. "From this day on, don't expect anything from me anymore."

Ethan's patience snapped. "I'm warning you, Donovan. Take that back right now," he said sharply. "Are you really going to throw your whole life away over a woman? What would your family think if they saw you like this? Do you want to drive your mother to an early grave? You've completely lost your mind!"

Donovan barely registered Ethan's angry words. His mind was consumed by the image of Giselle's pale, fragile face. Just imagining her body going cold and still sent another wave of pain slicing through his chest.

In his current state, even thinking like a normal person felt impossible. How could he possibly find the strength to keep running a massive corporation?

The only small comfort was that her condition hadn't worsened. Her blood pressure and heart rate had finally stabilized and returned to normal.

Donovan refused to leave the hospital. During the day, he wandered aimlessly outside the ICU, staring blankly at the door. At night, he'd doze off in one of the private suites arranged for him, but every time he closed his eyes, the nightmares came. In some dreams, she woke up. In others, she died in his arms. Every time, he jolted awake, drenched in cold sweat.

He hadn't gone back to Kane Manor or to work. His absence and despair soon began to worry everyone in the family, especially Dorothea.

"When I found out Anne had done something so vile by spreading those lies about you, I slapped her hard across the face and said the harshest things I could think of."

She paused briefly and continued, "I know this has caused terrible damage to your reputation, and I've been trying to find a way to make amends. Honestly, I'm too ashamed to even look at you. But as her mother, watching her detained and facing criminal charges breaks my heart. I'm begging you, Don, please let her go."

Donovan lay back on the bed, holding a cigarette between his fingers. He didn't spare Renee a single glance, nor did he seem to hear a word she said. He simply sat there like a lifeless statue.