A Lingering Goodbye

~DONOVAN POV~

The morning Valerie left for Paris, the house felt too still. The kind of stillness that pressed against your chest, making you aware of every sound….the hum of the refrigerator, the echo of Leo's footsteps as he ran around the foyer with his backpack half open.

Valerie stood by the doorway, her suitcase beside her, the sunlight spilling over her hair. She looked beautiful and nervou