CHAPTER 306

ARIA’S POV

Work has always been my refuge, a place where I can drown out the noise of everything else in my life. The days have been so hectic that it feels like I’m living in a constant whirlwind, but I don’t mind. It’s easier to focus on the tasks at hand, to pour every ounce of energy into projects and responsibilities, than to confront the swirling emotions that threaten to consume me.

I’ve learned to handle everything with precision, ensuring that every project is completed successfully, every deadline met with the efficiency I pride myself on. But the more I throw myself into work, the more it becomes apparent that I’m using it as a shield—a way to distract myself from the reality I’m avoiding.

The reality that I’m still living in Adam’s house, a place that feels less like a home and more like a prison with each passing day. When I first moved back in, it was to repay a debt, to show gratitude for all he had done for me. But now, every wall, every room, feels like it’s closing i