CLAIRE
A small flame of resolve ignited within me. Eros might not have feelings for me. He might view me as disorganized, inept, and too gentle for his world filled with sharp edges and rigid expectations. But he no longer has the power to dictate whether I stay or leave. Not anymore. I allowed that for far too long with Mark, with my previous life, with every choice I hesitated to make because it wasn't suitable for someone else. No more. Regardless of how grumpy, controlling, or unjust Eros chooses to be, he cannot force me to give up. Not on this job. I must hold my ground.
I breathed out, a long, steady exhale that made me feel lighter. Exhausted, yet lighter.
I found myself gazing at the ceiling once more. Sleep eludes me; my mind refuses to quiet down. It keeps cycling through mem
