CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE - The Ultimatum

"You're right," she said quietly, her anger giving way to a deep, aching sadness. "You never did promise me anything. I guess I just fooled myself into thinking what we had in Paris meant something more." She grabbed her purse and headed for the door. Mason called after her, "Claire, wait. I didn't mean—" But Claire was already gone, the door slamming behind her. She made it to the elevator before the tears started falling, hot and fast. As she rode down to the lobby, she tried to make sense of what had just happened. How had they gone from the magic of Paris to this? Outside, the San Francisco night was cool and foggy. Claire walked aimlessly, her mind replaying every moment of her argument with Mason. She'd come here full of hope, ready to build a life with him. Now, she felt more lost and alone than ever. As she walked, Claire's phone buzzed repeatedly with incoming calls and texts from Mason. She ignored them all, needing time to think, to breathe, to figure out what she really