To hear her doubt was painful. He hadn't intended to disregard her feelings by holding his in. Hebe was the kindest and most patient of wives, and now she was losing that hope. He'd never meant to do that. He reached for her hand and took it to his chest. "I never stopped." He was just distraught and alone with himself for so long, no one could break into that hard shell. Hercules lived day to day as if he still had something to atone for, he'd forgotten that he was free from that now.