g as she could remember. When she was younger, Declan had always s

g Declan would not step in anymore. In fact, Clara felt as though he wa

, she forced herself to nod and said quietly, "Alright, I'll go tomorrow. Plea

lly broke into a

r son. In her mind, a girl with no family and a troubled

thing else, I'll go up to rest." She left those words behind, maki

ve brought her to tears rig

ed on her, making

cake she had ordered ahead of time and go

bered. That thought brought a strange comfort. S

son to hold on. Now, even he wanted her

should have been a day for

ident on this very date years ago, and two years back, Decla

ght her joy-just mem

es, Clara let herself cry, feeling

d lighting the candles with trembling hands. Her tears kept fallin

of footsteps behind her. She turned around slowly,

efore her

ent she could not move. She wiped her tears quick

hday, remembered how much she dreaded facing

en why he came-to

trembling with hope, but she stopped

hing warm about his expression. Hi

cut through the silence. "Why did you agree to

way in an instant. The smile that

to drag her to a dat

e heavy with pain. "Did you re

as sharp, his frown deepening. "You mad

it was. Keeping her word about t

want her gon

ps together and murm

"Don't apologize to me. You owe Lorraine an apology! I sho

ld not understand why Declan had come all the way

ne have to do w

rce. His glare was relentless as he said, "Don't think you've fooled me. You went to my grandpa and bl

away, but Declan's hold was li

g compared to the sharp sting of his accusation

d, his voice cold enough to freeze the air. "It wouldn't matter if I ended things with her. I would never

entire body. Panic and disbelief flickered in her eyes as she sta

hat way? Was she nothin

and let out a soft, bitter laugh. Silent tears streak

k. Declan's grip was the only thing

r voice breaking as she looked up with a wounded smi

h the cemetery, carrying aw

om her cheeks, scattering t

something inside him had snapped tight and would not let go.