*Stephan*
“I strayed from my purpose in coming here.” The words sound as though they come from a great distance, not spoken by me.
"I thought you came to visit," she says softly.
"No, I... I came to thank you for your assistance all those years ago." I remove a small wrapped package from my jacket pocket and extend it toward her.
I see the hurt wash over her expression. Am I doomed to always wound her… keeping secrets, withholding my trust, talking only of superficial things, offering gifts for dangers confronted?
"You do not owe me. My actions that night were done with no expectation of reward," she says.
I don't know how to respond to her heartfelt declaration. I should have waited until Raphael returned from the docks so he could accompany me when delivering the gift. I doubt my b
