Breaking Mr. Cold (Giselle and Donovan) novel Chapter 506

Upon hearing those words, Donovan felt as if a thunderclap had struck him. His blood seemed to freeze, his heart pounded violently, and his voice caught in his throat. "What did you say? She…"

Before the nurse could explain, Tony had silently stepped up behind him.

Tony's eyes were still red, and his hand rested on Donovan's shoulder. He said hoarsely, "Don, I'm so sorry. Giselle's injuries were far too severe. She didn't make it. Our entire medical team did everything we could. Please, let us mourn."

Donovan's face went rigid. His legs gave out beneath him, a chill swept through his entire body, and a ringing filled his ears. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was this actually happening? Was he awake, or trapped in a nightmare?

Everything around him was unbearably real. The hospital room, the people, and the steady rhythm of breaths were all unmistakably present. Even the bed Giselle had once occupied, now covered with fresh sheets, seemed to retain a faint trace of her presence.

Overcome by a wave of intense emotion, he lost control and grabbed Tony by the collar. His face contorted with rage, his voice shaking as he shouted, "You're lying to me! She's awake, isn't she? She ran off, didn't she? Tell me you're lying. How could she not make it? Why are you lying?"

Tony let him pull on his collar without resistance. He didn't struggle, only lowering his gaze in pain and slowly shaking his head. "Don, you have to accept reality," he said.

Ethan knelt beside him and gently patted his shoulder. "You're a strong man, not a child. You've faced storms before. Pull yourself together."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Donovan snapped, staring at Ethan as he grabbed him by the shoulders with bloodshot eyes. "Do you have any idea how important she was to me? Why didn't you wake me? I could've stopped her! How could you just let her go? What were you thinking?"

Ethan had expected Donovan's furious outburst. He kept his voice calm, though tinged with pain. "We didn't tell you because we were afraid you couldn't handle it. By keeping you from seeing Giselle pale and lifeless, you won't be haunted by that image. When you remember her later, all you'll hold on to is the beautiful, living version of her."