The Hardest Goodbye

"Thank you," Valerie said softly.

Declan didn't answer. He stood at the door for a while and then strode away.

Valerie watched him leave. She sat on the bed and did not move for a long time. She did not even notice the phone had gotten through until Bridget said worriedly, "Valerie? What's wrong?"

Valerie came to her senses and looked at the phone screen. In her hazy vision, she saw Bridget was wo