"At the cost of his trust," I reply.
Gabriella’s voice remains measured. "Natalia, our job is not to build relationships. Our job," Gabriella continues, "is to protect the client’s reputation. Even when the client does not understand the full scope of what’s necessary. They hire us because they need outcomes, not because they want a friend."
Carey nods, satisfied. "Exactly."
I stare down at the tabletop for a second because if I look at either of them too long, my patience will snap in a way I don’t want it to.
When I look back up, I keep my tone even.
"And what about consent?" I ask. "What about the client’s boundaries? He said no. He was clear."
Carey shrugs. "Clients say no all the time. Then they thank you when you save them."
"He didn’t thank you," I say quietly.
Carey’s eyes flash. "He doesn’t have to. He’s safer now."
"He’s not," I reply, the words coming out before I can soften them. "He’s damaged. He ran because he believes people use him. And you proved him right."
Gabriella’s expression tightens slightly, not with anger, but with impatience.
"Natalia," she says, "you’re getting personal. That is not the business model."
I swallow. Because that’s the heart of it, isn’t it? That in this room, 'personal' is the same as 'weak'. I’ve spent my entire life trying not to be either.
I think of my mom’s voice from before I left for Arizona. Her advice when she saw me crying over Luka.
You’re good at protecting people. You have a huge heart. You could do anything with that skill set.
I take a slow breath. "I can’t do this," I say.
Gabriella blinks once. "You can’t do what?"
"This," I repeat. "This kind of work. This kind of winning."
Carey’s brows lift. "You’re joking."
I shake my head.
Gabriella’s tone hardens slightly. "Natalia, you’re standing in front of a career-making opportunity."
"I know," I say. "And if this had been three weeks ago, I would have thanked you for it."
"You’re turning it down because you feel guilty about a client’s feelings?"
It would be easy to get defensive. To argue and to justify, but instead, I’m giving them the truth.
"I’m turning it down because I don’t want to become the kind of person who can do that to someone and call it a win."
Carey scoffs. "So what, you’re quitting because you grew a conscience in Switzerland?"
I ignore her and look at Gabriella, who is watching me as if she’s deciding whether I’m serious.
"I’ve given years of my life to this firm," I say quietly. "I’ve missed holidays, weddings, baby showers. I built my identity around being the person who fixes disasters. But if fixing them means breaking people, then I don’t want it anymore."
Gabriella’s mouth tightens. "You’ll regret this."
"Maybe," I admit. "But I’ll regret staying more."
