Chapter 41

Giselle froze. Hearing the cries, Gavin rushed over. Penelope was calling for Gavin, sobbing. He surged forward and shoved Giselle aside without hesitation. Giselle's already frail body, weakened from her time in the psychiatric hospital, was pushed violently into the nightstand. Her lower back slammed against the sharp edge, sending a jolt of pain through her, her face turning pale instantly as cold sweat broke out across her skin. Gavin held Penelope tightly. "Poppy, what's wrong?" Penelope was still sniffling in Gavin's arms. Stuffed up and hoarse from the cold, she whimpered, "Daddy, I want Mommy Chantelle to stay with me. I'm scared of her." Her tiny finger pointed toward Giselle. It was small, pale, and stubby—the same finger that had once wiped away her tears, yet now it trembled with fear. Gavin tried to soothe her. "Aunt Chantelle just left. She spent a long time with you today, and now she needs to go home and rest. "You know her heart isn't very strong, right? Toni