Chapter 7
Damon didn’t come to until noon the next day.
He was still groggy, but the first thing out of his mouth was about Giselle. “How’d her surgery go? Is she okay? Has she woken up?”
Seeing how anxious he was, Clara–who’d been up all night–gave a tired nod and rasped, “The doctor said she’ll be fine. She just needs a few months t
recover.”
Relief washed over Damon, but he was still on edge. He showed off his blanket and got out of bed. He was determined to see Giselle for himself.
No matter how much Clara tried to talk him down, he wouldn’t listen–until a nurse came in to hook him up to an IV and physically stopped him,
to
He stared at the large bag of fluids as frustration flickered in his eyes. His mind was still on Giselle. After a moment, he spotted the fruit basket on the table and latched onto an excuse.
“Clara, I called Giselle’s parents yesterday. They flew back overnight and should be at the hospital now. Can you take that fruit basket to them, say hi, and check on her for me?”
Clara looked at him for a long moment before finally humming in response. She picked up the basket and walked out of the ward. Giselle was on the floor
above
Just as Clara was about to knock, she noticed the door was slightly open. Through the narrow gap, she spotted Giselle nestled against a man she didn’t recognize
“Ellas,” Giselle said, her voice warm with affection. “Weren’t you going to introduce me to your parents? Why’d you come alone?”
“I wanted to, but you’re still recovering. It’s not the best time. Once you’re discharged, I’ll take you home to meet them, okay?”
Clara’s fists tightened at those words. Giselle was seeing someone else and was already talking about meeting his family.
Just then, the doctor making rounds pushed the door open, startling Giselle and Elias Anderson. She looked up and saw Clara. Her expression darkened Instantly.
“What are you doing here?” she questioned.
Clara didn’t say a word. She set the fruit baskoor on the floor and tamed to head downstairs. Despite her injuries, Giselle hurried after her. She caught up to her at the stairwell.
She grabbed Clara’s arm and demanded, “You’re not going to run off and snitch to Damon, are you?
Clara turned, catching a flicker of panic in Giselle’s face.
“Why are you still hanging onto Damon if you already have a boyfriend?” she asked coldly.
Giselle arched an eyebrow and gathered herself right away. “Because I lile keeping two men on the hook. I love having them wrapped around my finger, spalling me in every way. Isn’t it obvious?”
“Do you really have to stomp all over his feelings like that?” Clara asked.
Noticing the anger in Clara’s eyes, Giselle let out a sarcastic laugh. Her voice was cozing with pride, “I’ve got the power to make them both fall for me- even a guy like Damon, who’s got everything. Are you jealous, Clara? Maybe if you adroit It, I’ll be kind enough to show you how it’s done someday” Clara was at a loss for words. She was stunned by Giselle’s arrogant, self–satisfied attitude.
But her silence only seemed to feed Giselle’s smugness. She looked Clara over, and finally, her gaze settled on the wedding ring on Clara’s finger.
“You were just the backup plan, Clara What makes you think you have any right to call me out? Let me clue you in—I never actually left the country back then, I was just hungover after partying all night with two seniors. You never would’ve become Mrs. Croft If Damon hadn’t been mad at me!”
All the anger Clara had been holding in finally boiled over. She slapped Giselle across the face.
Clara hadn’t even hit her that hard, bur Giselle made a show of it. She tumbled down the stairs like she’d been struck with full force.
Before Clare could process what had just happened, the elevator doors slid open, and Damon stepped out. He rushed over, shoving Clara asile before she could react
Then, he bolted down the stairs and scooped Giselle into his arms, His face was stricken as he took in her bruised and battered state.
He shot Clara a furious glare while barely holding back his anger. “She never did anything to you. Why did you have to hurt her like this?” Giselle made a show of the red mark on her cheek Her tears streamed as she leaned pitifully against Damon. “Forget it, Damon. Clara’s Holding a grudge because I used to be your ex. I can’t blame her. Let’s go.”
‘s probably still
Clara couldn’t get a word out after what she said. The way Damon’s expression darkened told her there was no point in trying to explain. Nothing she
Said would make a difference.
Her silence, to him, was as good as an admission of guilt. Without another word, he looked away with disappointment etched across his face. Then, he carried Giselle off and never looked back
