Chapter 13
Anne’s face turned pale as she watched Giselle’s flirtatious behavior toward Donovan.
“Don, what just happened?” Anne demanded, her voice urgent. “That b–I mean, Giselle–why was she here? And why were you two fighting?” Donovan didn’t seem to hear her. He kept smoking, his eyes dark and distant as he watched Giselle’s car drive off. For a long moment, he stayed silent.
“Don?”
“Just go. I need some time alone,” he muttered, avoiding her question.
Anne sounded panicked. “Go? But we were supposed to pick out the diamond ring this evening and have dinner!”
“Just figure out all the engagement details yourself. I’ll transfer you the money for whatever you need.”
Donovan stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, talking about their engagement as casually as if he were handing off a simple task to an employee. He didn’t even bother to look at Anne, the woman he was about to marry.
His cold, detached attitude left a bitter taste in Anne’s mouth.
Remembering how he and Giselle had just been slapping each other moments ago, Anne was sure that bitch was the one who’d put him in this mood.
“I’m sorry you had to deal with that crazy bitch from my family. She ruined your peace,” Anne murmured, unable to stop herself from wrapping her arms around him in an intimate embrace from behind.
“Don’t even waste a thought on her. She’s just a cheap slut who’s slept around. She has over a dozen boyfriends and at least five abortions. That’s why she’s shameless enough to pull this crap with you! Don’t worry. My parents and I will handle her quietly.”
Donovan coldly pried her hands off his waist. “Go home. I’ve got work.”
Without another word – not caring about her reaction or how she felt–he turned and walked upstairs, his face blank.
Anne stood frozen, her heart sinking like a stone. The sight of Giselle touching Donovan, on top of all her endless meddling, sent fury burning through her.
She drew a sharp, quiet breath. It was finally time for her to do something about it.
Giselle drove down the main road, her cheeks still faintly tingling, the unsettled feeling lingering.
She’d actually had a great time with Zachary today. It was the first real relaxation she’d felt in ages. But then, she had to run into that bastard Donovan, and everything turned into some ridiculous, melodramatic mess.
She wasn’t one to dwell on things, but Donovan kept forcing his way back into her life–one minute threatening her, the next trying to sleep with her, playing both sides like the hypocritical prick he was.
Even if her hormones weren’t out of whack, her mood sure as hell was.
Giselle dragged herself home, completely exhausted. She had just collapsed onto the couch when her phone pinged with a WhatsApp notification.
She picked it up and saw a voice message from Zachary.
“Where are you, Giselle? I’m sorry for leaving you like that this afternoon. Uncle Don said my grandma fell and was taken to the hospital. It sounded serious, so I had to go without saying a word.”
Giselle forced herself to sound awake as she held down the voice reply. “Don’t worry about it. How’s your grandma doing now?”
“Ugh, it’s just a sprained back. Nothing bad. Uncle Don totally overreacted.”
“Well, take care of her. And thanks for hanging out with me today.”
“Are you free tonight? I want to see you now.”
Giselle hesitated for a moment before typing her reply. “I already have plans tonight. We’ve been hanging out all afternoon. Let’s do this another time.”
Without waiting for Zachary’s response, she turned off her phone, sank into the couch cushions, and shut her eyes. All she wanted was silence to ease her pounding headache.
Now that she knew Zachary was Donovan’s nephew, she had no interest in getting involved. The last thing she needed was unnecessary drama.
Two more quiet days went by.
Giselle had steadied herself and was still fully occupied with renovating the veterinary clinic. She left early each morning and returned late at night, insisting on overseeing even the tiniest details.
Then one morning, two unexpected visitors stepped inside as she was going over medical equipment options with a staff member.
