Chapter 18 - The Horizon BeckonsSpring arrived in New York with an explosion of bright sunlight and blooming magnolias along Central Park West.
Clare stood on the private terrace of her penthouse apartment, dressed in a sharp linen blazer and sunglasses, looking out over the endless expanse of the city skyline.
Bellweather Journeys was expanding into the Pacific, preparing to launch its most ambitious private expedition line yet across the islands of French Polynesia.
Her phone rang. It was an international call from Tahiti.
"Clare Bennett speaking," she answered smoothly.
"Bonjour, Madame Bennett," a warm, familiar voice greeted her from the other end of the line. "The overwater bungalows in Bora Bora are prepped, the private catamaran fleet is docked, and our local hosts are ready for your arrival next Tuesday."
"Thank you, Captain," Clare smiled, looking out toward the bright horizon. "I'll see you on Tuesday."
She hung up the phone, locked her screen, and slid it into her leather bag.
May you like
She didn't look back at the city behind her. She didn't think about Ethan Cole, or the apartment on Hawthorne Lane, or the wedding roses that had long since withered into dust.
She was a master architect of her own destiny, sailing toward a future that belonged entirely to her.
