Desmond's Investment

Rapid footsteps echoed against the cold concrete, breaking through the heavy shroud of Valerie's despair. She lifted her tear-streaked face from her trembling hands. Her vision blurred, stinging in the evening gloom. Through the watery haze, a familiar figure rushed up the mall steps.

"Nadine," Valerie managed to choke out. Her voice was raspy, stripped raw from the sobbing.

Nadine closed the di