Severing Ties

Donovan and Bradley arrived to find Valerie still standing at the door, her face pale, her eyes red.

Donovan approached quickly, crouching down in front of her. "Why are you out here?" he asked softly, his voice tinged with concern.

Valerie’s face was a mask of grief, and when their eyes met, she simply shook her head, unable to speak.

Inside the room, Daphne heard the sound of footsteps and the d