"I..." Gwendolyn started, but the rest of the sentence dissolved before it could take shape. She dropped her gaze to the floor, her voice faltering into fragments that never quite became words.
She hadn't said it outright, but Ambrose could read the shape of what she meant. The way she'd come to him, the way she stood there now with her shoulders drawn inward, it wasn't hard to piece together. She believed this was all she had to offer him in return for everything he'd done.
"Gwen, look at me," he said, keeping his voice even, gentle but firm. "There are a hundred ways to show gratitude if that's what this is about, but I need you to hear me clearly. I never once expected anything from you in return."
"But this is all I have." She lifted both hands to her face, pressing her palms agains
