Leo, a gentle man with a gray-streaked beard and a laugh that filled hallways, tilted his head. "Elara, when was the last time you ate something just because it made you happy?"

"Rest is not the opposite of progress. It is part of it."

She opened her mouth. Closed it. Realized she did not have an answer.

At thirty-two, Elara was a senior graphic designer who spent her days crafting perfect visual balances for clients. She could make a logo sing, but she could not make peace with her own reflection.