Chapter 432

At Elowen's words, Giselle's chest tightened. "Let him in." Before Elowen could step out to announce it, the office door swung open. A familiar figure appeared in the doorway. Giselle froze for an instant at the sight of Gideon's long-absent face. He looked gaunt, his hair unkempt, stubble shadowing his jaw. There was a hollowness about him, a weary gloom that clung to his every movement. When Elowen left them alone, Giselle steadied herself and forced a calm tone. "You're back in the country?" Gideon didn't answer right away. Hands buried in his pockets, he walked slowly toward her, his sharp gaze fixed unrelentingly on her. "If I hadn't reached out first," he rasped, "would you have gone the rest of your life without ever looking for me?" That look—intense and unyielding—made Giselle turn her head away. "You can see for yourself. I'm running a division of Kane Group now. I barely have time to breathe, let alone chase after other matters." He gave a better laugh. "If I had died