Chapter 27

Donovan hurriedly got dressed. He had thought about using force, but her irrational and frantic behavior made him decide against wasting any effort on her. After grabbing his phone and car keys, he coldly remarked, "Remember what I just said." Then, he stormed out of the bedroom and through the living room, slamming the door behind him with a chill in the air. The room fell silent once more, leaving her feeling empty inside. Leaning against the headboard alone, Giselle stared into space for a long time, her thoughts in disarray. To soothe the chaos in her mind, she took a cigarette from the nightstand. Then she placed it between her lips and lit it with a lighter. A deep inhale sent a rush through her throat, instantly alleviating her fatigue and irritation. She wasn't typically a smoker—just a few times a month, particularly when her mood was overwhelmingly bad. She'd use a cigarette or two to unwind. As the smoke enveloped her, she slowly relaxed, and her mind became clearer.