CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT - The Aftermath

Claire took a deep breath, then everything came tumbling out - the stress at work, Jessica's subtle sabotage, the growing distance with Mason, the looming decision about her career. "I just... I feel like I'm losing control of everything," Claire finished, her voice cracking. Sophie listened patiently, then leaned forward, placing a comforting hand on Claire's knee. "Oh, honey. It sounds like you're trying to juggle too many things at once." Claire nodded, wiping away a stray tear. "I know. I just don't know what to do. I've worked so hard for this promotion, but..." "But?" Sophie prompted gently. "But I can't stop thinking about Mason, about the life we talked about in Paris. And then there's the Lumina offer..." Sophie sat back, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Claire, can I ask you something? When was the last time you really thought about what you want, not what you think you should want?" Claire blinked, taken aback by the question. "I... I don't know." "Maybe that's