Chapter 169

Declan watched Stella disappear out the door, then sank to the floor again, his face filled with pain. 'She is right... It's too late...' he thought bitterly.

Yet, Declan had always cared for Valerie! If he hadn't, he couldn't have enticed her to grow closer and more dependent on him back when they were young. 'Have I really been wrong all along?' he wondered.

A bottle he'd kicked toppled over, th