Then Gideon became serious.

“But needing independence and being welcome here are not opposites.”

She looked at him.

“If you need this house tomorrow, next year, or ten years from now, you do not have to earn your way through the door.”

Gwen felt her throat tighten.

“That is not why I’m leaving.”

“I know.”

And because he knew, leaving became easier.

PART 11 — THE ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENT

Maisie hated the apartment.