More Than a Substitute

Declan looked at her in silence.

This was not the first time Valerie asked him this question.

All his assumptions were based on the possibility that she was Cecelia.

But if it turned out Valerie was not Cecelia, those assumptions would be cruel to Valerie.

It meant that she had always been a substitute for another girl.

He could understand her feelings.

"Declan," Valerie said, staring at him. "I s