CHAPTER NINETY-SEVEN - Mason’s Last Effort

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of their words hanging heavy between them. Finally, Mason spoke. "What can I do, Claire? Tell me how to fix this." Claire looked at him, seeing the desperation in his eyes. She wanted to forgive him, to move past this, but the nagging doubt in her mind wouldn't let her. "I don't know, Mason," she said quietly. "I think... I think we both need some time to think about what we really want. And if we're truly ready for this relationship." Mason's face crumpled. "Claire, please. Don't do this. We've come so far." "Have we?" Claire asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Or are we just repeating the same patterns?" She walked to the door, opening it. "I think you should go, Mason. We both need some space to figure things out." Mason looked like he wanted to argue, but something in Claire's expression stopped him. He nodded slowly, walking to the door. As he passed her, he paused. "I love you, Claire. That hasn't changed." Claire felt