A Solitary Struggle

"I asked him to go home first," Valerie replied hesitantly.

Declan's frown deepened. "You asked him to go back, and he left you behind just like that?"

Knowing that he had misunderstood, Valerie explained in a hurry, "No, it's not his fault. I lied to him, saying that my family was coming over to take care of me, so he left."

Declan asked, "Did he see your family then?"

Valerie didn't know what to