"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."
Elsie gasped in between her tears, repeating the same apologies to Nathaniel. He tightened his arms around her, reassuring the lady that he sought no apology.
"You did the best thing you could think... for your safety... when I failed you."
Nathaniel tried to calmly trace the conflicted feelings storming in his heart. None of them was anger. Even if he felt some wrath, it was directed to himself.
"Still... I hid our daughter from you... I'm sorry... It took me this long... to return..."
Struggling to breathe, Elsie hiccupped as she tried to speak. Her grasp on the back of Nathaniel's shirt loosened because of the tremors flaring her entire body. She desperately grabbed the fabric back.
"I've been waiting for you... but... I know how much I've disappointed you before... I didn't expect to meet you again, Elsie."
Nathaniel heaved a sigh. Closing his eyes, a deep frown marred his forehead.
