CHAPTER 51

Vanya POV

I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at my phone as the glow of the screen illuminated my worried expression. The comment I had posted under Cian's taunting message was still racking up likes and responses, a flood of reactions pouring in from all corners of the internet. People were taking sides, speculating, laughing, jeering-it was all one big, twisted circus. But the thrill of throwing Cian's arrogance back in his face had worn off. Now, doubt gnawed at me.

Have I done the right thing? I couldn't tell if my response had been an act of defiance or a rash mistake. I had wanted to hurt him, to put him in his place, but the fear of retaliation lingered like a dark cloud. Cian was not the type to take public humiliation lightly, and I knew this spat was far from over.

Lost in my thoughts, I nearly jumped when I heard a soft knock at the door. Marco stepped in, looking pale but determined. He was moving slowly, still recovering from the ordeal of that night, but