"And what about us?" she whispered, her voice barely above a hoarse whisper. Richie glanced up, his expression hardening at the sound of her voice. "There is no 'us,' Valeria," he replied curtly, his tone devoid of any warmth or affection. "There never was ever." 

The words struck Valeria like a physical blow, the pain of his rejection cutting deeper than any knife. She thought of him as a partner who had fallen for him. Only to be cast aside like a discarded toy. 

Tears welled in her eyes, ...