The Fall of the Ice Queen

Has anyone died from walking in the rain? Claire has no idea. But since Gabriel told her she's free to take the rest of the day off, and she thinks maybe she could give the chauffeur some "me time" too and not call him up, she has decided to just take the sidewalk. Revel in the overcast weather. This midday rainstorm is rare, especially in these months, and it brings with it so much melancholy. Perhaps walking all the way to the Residence will help clear her head.

That's what she has been telling herself. But the truth is, she has been on the verge of tears even while the elevator descends. She's confused, really. Why does she feel this way, anyway? It's not like Gabriel had told her to disappear from his life. Other "employees" would be happy to get a precious half-day. So why does she feel like when Gabriel told her to take the rest of the day off, it sounded like a death sentence.