CHAPTER 65

Vanya's Pov

For about two days now, I relished the silence, the absence of Cian's constant, oppressive presence.

It was a welcome reprieve, a chance to breathe freely without the weight of his manipulative schemes pressing down on me. The air seemed lighter, and the sunlight felt warmer as I allowed myself to sink into a sense of peace I hadn't experienced in a while. Work became my sanctuary, and without the incessant distractions of Cian's games, I was finally able to immerse myself in my responsibilities.

The stacks of papers and the glowing screen before me were comforting in their normalcy. For the first time in what felt like forever, I could focus on something other than the toxic pull of my past with Cian. I threw myself into my work, staying late at the office to finish projects that had been languishing due to my divided attention. My team noticed the shift, my focus and determination contagious, lifting the spirits of everyone around me. The whispers and concerns that had