The Cost of Survival

Valerie stiffened, her nerves on edge.

No matter how much she wanted to deny it, Daphne's words were a wake-up call, forcing her to face reality.

Daphne quietly observed Valerie, who stood there frozen in shock.

After a long silence, Daphne finally spoke up. "Say I've changed, or say I'm using you, Valerie. But Donovan poured his heart into the Vaughan Group too.

"And I'm not afraid to tell you. I