That’s fair, James said thoughtfully. And you don’t have to decide today. Why don’t you take a leave of absence, a real one, not the manufactured kind Andrew is trying to force on you. Take a few weeks, get some distance. Figure out what you actually want. We can bring in an interim CEO to manage day-to-day operations while you think.

And if I decide I don’t want to come back, Rachel asked. Then we find someone else, Margaret said simply. Rachel, you built something amazing here, but you’re not obligated to run it forever just because you created it. Companies evolve, leadership changes, and that’s okay. The question isn’t what you owe Morgan Technologies. The question is what you want for your own life.

Rachel felt something loosen in her chest. A tension she’d been carrying for so long she’d forgotten it was there. Can I think about it? take you up on that leave of absence and actually figure out what I want. Of course, David said, “Take all the time you need. We’ll hold down the fort.” Laura was waiting outside the boardroom looking anxious.

“Well, how bad is it?” “Andrew’s arrested. Several board members are under investigation, and I’ve been offered a leave of absence to figure out if I still want this job,” Rachel summarized. “So, either really bad or really good, depending on your perspective.” And what’s your perspective? Laura asked.

I’ll tell you when I figure it out, Rachel said. Can you handle things here for a few days? I need to I need to not be here for a while. Of course, Laura said immediately. Go take care of yourself. The company will survive without you for a few days. Rachel collected her belongings from her office, taking only her personal items and leaving everything else.

She paused at the door, looking back at the space that had been her second home for years. It felt strange to walk away, even temporarily, but also liberating, like setting down a weight she’d been carrying for too long. Her phone buzzed with a text from Jack. How did it go? Rachel smiled, feeling warmth spread through her despite the exhaustion. She typed back, “I won.

Can you pick me up? I’m ready to come home.” His response was immediate. On our way, Sophie’s bringing celebratory cookies she insisted we bake this morning. Rachel made her way down to the lobby, ignoring the stairs and whispers from employees who’d clearly heard that something dramatic had happened on the executive floor.

The rain had stopped and weak afternoon sunlight was breaking through the clouds, painting the street in gold and shadow. Jack’s car pulled up 15 minutes later and Rachel climbed in to find Sophie practically bouncing in her seat. “Did you beat the bad people?” Sophie demanded. “Daddy wouldn’t tell me anything except that you were okay, but I want to know if you won.

” I won, Rachel confirmed, accepting the slightly misshapen cookie Sophie thrust into her hands. The bad people are in a lot of trouble, and the company is safe. “I knew you would win,” Sophie said with absolute confidence. “Because you’re brave, like Wonder Woman, and bad people never win when brave people stand up to them. That’s how stories work.

” “If only real life were as simple as stories,” Rachel murmured. But she was smiling. Jack caught her eye in the rear view mirror. you okay? I’m exhausted, emotionally drained, and questioning every life choice I’ve made for the past decade,” Rachel said honestly. “But yeah, I’m okay. Better than okay, actually.

I feel like I can breathe for the first time in years.” They drove back to Jack’s apartment with Sophie providing a detailed narration of their cookie baking adventure and all the reasons why chocolate chip cookies were scientifically superior to all other types of cookies. Rachel half listened mostly just enjoying the sound of Sophie’s voice and the normaly of the conversation after the intensity of the morning.

Back at the apartment, Rachel changed out of her powers suit and into borrowed sweatpants and a t-shirt, feeling the corporate armor fall away with her professional clothes. She emerged from the guest room to find Jack in the kitchen starting dinner prep while Sophie did homework at the table. “Can I help?” Rachel asked, and Jack handed her a cutting board and vegetables without comment.

They worked in companionable silence for a while, falling into the rhythm they’d established over the weekend. Rachel found the repetitive motion of chopping vegetables soothing, grounding her back in the present moment after the surreal drama of the morning. So, what happens now? Jack asked eventually.

With the company, I mean, they offered me a leave of absence, Rachel said. Time to figure out if I still want to be CEO or if I want to do something different with my life. And what do you want? Rachel set down her knife and looked at him. Honestly, for the first time in my adult life, I have no idea.

And that’s terrifying, but also kind of exciting. I’ve spent so long following a predetermined path, build the company, grow the company, defend the company, that I never stopped to ask if that path was taking me where I actually wanted to go. “Where do you want to go?” Sophie piped up from the table, apparently listening to their conversation despite appearing focused on her math worksheet.

I don’t know yet, Rachel admitted. But I think I’d like to spend some time figuring that out. Maybe work on projects that feel meaningful instead of just profitable. Maybe actually take weekends off and learn what normal people do when they’re not working 80 hours a week. Maybe, she hesitated, then continued, “Maybe build relationships that matter more than building empires.

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